Foodbanks seeing 'drastic drop' in donations

The Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership supports more than 1,600 households each month

Food banks across the Lancaster district have said they have seen a "drastic drop" in food donations despite "more need".

Volunteers and community leaders are now appealing to the public to continue to support foodbanks with regular donations if they are able to.

Harriet Phipps, from the Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership, a non-profit organisation that works to reduce food poverty across the district, said it supported more than 1,600 households each month.

"Even a donation of one item would make a massive difference," she said.

'Squeeze on income'

Foodbanks are seeing "a bit more need" and "quite a drastic drop" in donations, she said.

"Food prices are high, so we do understand that it's really difficult for people. And we are incredibly grateful for the donations and support that the foodbanks receive in our collection bins in the supermarkets."

Briony Scott, foodbank manager at Morecambe Bay Foodbank, said: "We are extremely grateful for all the donations of both food and money, especially at this time of rising food prices and the continued squeeze on income from the wider cost of living pressures.

"We are using our financial donations to purchase food to make up this shortfall but any additional food donations would be really appreciated."

In the first four months of 2025, Morecambe Bay Foodbank sent emergency food parcels to 1,415 adults and 834 children.

Each food parcel feeds people for four to five days to help them through a time of need.

Leslie Mann, project manager at The Olive Branch foodbank in Lancaster, said the charity was currently seeing a high level of need that had risen over time.

He said: "From January to April this year, we have been averaging 324 food parcels per month.

"This amounts to around 45,000 food items given out.

"However, donations of food for this period are 9% lower than the same months last year and 33% lower than in 2022."