Stories

Tue, 21 Jul 2026

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 Dad facing difficult summer as food donations plunge

Food banks and community larders are warning of an uncertain future.

* A single father, Matthew, relies heavily on a community larder in Castle Cary to feed his family due to financial difficulties.
* He uses the larder up to three times a week and is worried that food donations will decrease over the summer.
* Charity leaders say donations to food banks and community larders have hit record lows and are facing an uncertain future.
* Somerset Council has ended a scheme providing supermarket vouchers for families on free school meals, making it harder for Matthew to provide for his children.
* The Trussell Trust charity says its North Bristol and South Gloucestershire branch is buying more of its own stock than ever before due to a lack of donations.
* Charity leaders are warning that food banks and community larders may struggle to continue providing support if donations do not increase.