Thorney food bank feels the pinch as shelves run empty

Erin Tierney says it makes her "sad" that her food bank is being used by so many people in the community

A food bank serving about 1,500 people has said it is feeling the cost of living "pinch".

Single mother-of-two Erin Tierney set up the Thorney, Eye and Surrounding Food Hub, based in Thorney near Peterborough, in 2019.

She had watched children bringing "plain slices of bread" into school for lunch while working as a teaching assistant.

The hub provides parcels to 40 families each week.

One person who used the community fridge service described it as a "breath of hope".

The Thorney foodbank says it is always in need of biscuits, tinned food, baby products and milk

Mrs Tierney is also a former police officer but now works as a sign language coordinator for the BBC. She dedicates nearly 25 hours a week to the food bank.

She said the cost of living crisis was forcing people to choose between "eating or heating" and said more professionals, including NHS workers, teachers and police officers, were seeking help.

"We are seeing people - [who] you might not think of - at a food bank," said Ms Tierney, who also pointed out donations were declining and that she did not receive local council support.

"We have empty shelves, empty fridges but we try and help anyone who comes through the doors."

Mum-of-four Abigail Lovell says "people still judge you" for using the foodbank

Mother-of-four Abigail Lovell, 37, said she had to give up her retail job three years ago to care for one of her twins who has special educational needs.

Ms Lovell said: "We fell on hard times - I couldn't cope without Erin and her team.

"I am worried for the winter as my daughter has breathing issues and has just come off oxygen and needs to be kept warm."

Former teacher Peter Alley retired early due to poor health

Retired teacher Peter Alley has called the hub "a breath of hope".

"Their parcels have made the difference between eating and not eating on so many days," said Mr Alley.

"Being in receipt of charity is difficult for my personal pride. I look forward to being able to pay back in future."

Mum-of-three Kirsty Dickenson hopes to start volunteering at the Thorney Food bank to give back to them for being "brilliant"

Hospital care assistant Kirsty Dickenson said she used the food bank after pausing work during the pandemic as she became pregnant.

She is back on her feet now and said: "I would rather ask for help than struggle. Both my husband and I work, yet we have never been judged [at the food bank] and the team make us feel so comfortable.

"Until you are in that situation you don't realise."

Mrs Tierney said she sometimes relied on the food bank herself and understood people's reservations using it

Mrs Tierney said some of the people using the service worked as much as 40 hours per week.

"It makes me incredibly sad and I think there should be more help available for people who need it," she said.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said it offered a Household Support Fund, a holiday voucher scheme and Support Hubs throughout the city for people struggling with "rising costs".

"We are fully committed to helping people in our communities who are struggling with the rising costs of living and offer several support initiatives," the spokesperson added.