Meet the people helping families most in need in Cambridgeshire

The foodbank has helped over 9,000 in the district over the last year

A Cambridgeshire foodbank is urgently appealing for food and donations as families struggle in the “current economic crisis”. In the last year, Ely Foodbank has supported more than 9,000 people across the district.

Not only do they help families with food, but they also point people in the direction of other help available. Due to the ongoing conflicts going on in the Middle East and Ukraine, people are struggling with money, meaning fewer donations are made to the foodbank.

“We have more bags going out than we do coming in,” said CEO Seamus Connolly. As a result, the foodbank is urgently appealing for donations and money.

Seamus said: “Usually we get most of our donations in the halves period, which is of course the last year between September and Christmas. This time of year, we generally have a bit of a deficit in stock.

“We think because of the current economic crisis and the rising cost of fuel due to the Middle Eastern and Ukraine conflicts, people have a little bit less money. That means both our clients have less money and also the rest of us have a little bit less money. So, we have a little bit of a deficit, which we hope people can help with.”

The foodbank covers Ely, as well as other parts of East Cambridgeshire and Fenland. It covers around 288 sqm of the district.

Foodbank manager Abbie Staines said it helps people from “all walks of life who are facing really challenging times”. She added: “People come to the foodbank for emergency food, but also a place to come for extra support. It’s so important we get the help we need to help these thousands of people in the area.”

Abbie and Seamus reiterate the importance of people donating food and cash to help people in need. Abbie said “it’s not just food on plates” that the foodbank provides, but more.

She added: “When people leave here, they leave with their bags of shopping that help them to feed their families to help them get their dinner that night, and we’re very glad for all the donations that we get to allow us to do that.

“But it’s also important that when you come to a foodbank, you’re getting more than just an instant bit of food, you’re getting helped as a part forward.”

Seamus said the foodbank “always needs extra help from people”. He added: “I think a lot of people maybe don’t think about the foodbank when they’re shopping.

“All that we ask is maybe pick up an extra tin of fruit or vegetables and then put it in one of the collection points at all major supermarkets. We understand that time is difficult for everybody.”

If anyone would like to donate or set up a standing order to the foodbank, they can do so on the website. People can donate food at collection points via their local supermarket.