Haslemere Food Bank is facing a crisis as donations have halved while demand has soared. 

The food bank has just turned 11, having first opened its doors to those in need on July 1, 2013. 

David Rice, the bank’s chairman, said: “We opened it thinking it was going to be a temporary thing to help get people over a hump, but the situation’s only got worse. Families in need just grew and grew during the pandemic.”

David said the food bank is now supporting three times more families, but weekly food collections have halved, forcing the food bank to spend its limited funds to purchase food – something that’s rapidly becoming unsustainable. 

Haslemere Town Council has stepped in to help, awarding the bank a grant to assist with rising costs. 

The council stated: “We recognise the incredibly valuable service Haslemere Food Bank provides to Haslemere residents. The food bank has seen a significant increase in demand for its service since Covid, and the council is delighted to provide a revenue grant of £7,500 towards their costs this financial year.”

The food bank finds its shelves are often bare by the end of the week, prompting urgent Facebook appeals. 

David added: “We are so very grateful that people are still donating; it is quite moving to see. But donations are just not coming in the way that they used to. There are those who make occasional big splash donations, but the smaller donors who just slip in a can of food every time they do their shop are just as important.

“The food bank should not be here. If someone were to ask what my long-term view would be, it would be for it to close because there is no longer a need for it.”

To find out more and to donate, head to haslemerefoodbank.com