Coventry Foodbank has issued an urgent warning that it may have to turn hungry people away unless residents increase their donations immediately. The charity, which distributes emergency parcels from its Binley warehouse, is facing one of the most critical stock shortages in its 15-year history as warehouse shelves run empty.
Critical deficit in supplies
The organisation has seen twice as much food leave the site as has been donated, creating a five-tonne deficit in May alone. This shortfall means the charity missed out on enough supplies to feed approximately 900 people. Staff have warned that they are down to their final 20 pallets of food, leaving them unable to build balanced parcels for those in need.
Last year, the service supported more than 22,000 people in the city who were experiencing a financial crisis. The warning comes as high living costs continue to push hundreds of local families into food poverty every week.
Appeal to the community
Organisers are urging the community to donate long-life, non-perishable goods during their weekly grocery shops to help replenish the empty shelves. Foodbank Founder Canon Gavin Kibble MBE said: "We have faced shortages before, but right now we are facing one of the most serious shortages we have ever experienced. Since late last year almost twice as much food has been going out of our warehouse as has been coming in, and that is simply not sustainable.
"We are down to our last 20 pallets, and we are missing a huge number of the individual items that make up a balanced food parcel. If things carry on as they are, we will have no choice but to reduce the number of people we feed each month.
"We know times are hard for everyone, but we are appealing directly to the people of Coventry - if you can spare even one or two items from your weekly shop, it will make a real difference. This city has always stepped up when its neighbours needed help, and we need that generosity now more than ever."
How the foodbank works
People in need are given vouchers by local agencies, which they can redeem at a distribution centre for three to five days of emergency food. While collecting their parcels, visitors can speak to volunteers over a warm drink to find support for long-term financial problems.
Canon Gavin Kibble MBE continued: "The foodbank is asking for donations of long-life, non-perishable items in particular. Every tin, every packet, every donation counts. Nobody in Coventry should have to go hungry, and with the public's help, nobody will."
Fundraising event
The charity is also hosting a major fundraising event next month to raise vital cash for their services. Brave residents can sign up to abseil down the iconic Coventry Cathedral to help support the cause.
- Event: Coventry Foodbank Charity Abseil and Activity Tent
- Date: Saturday, August 1
- Location: Coventry Cathedral, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5AB
- Cost: Minimum £200 raised through sponsorship (participants must be aged 16+ and weigh under 19 stone)
To find out more about the foodbank, donate money, or register for the cathedral abseil, visit coventry.foodbank.org.uk. If you are currently struggling and need to access emergency food support, visit coventryfoodbank.org.uk/help or find your nearest hub at trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/.
