Monmouth and District Food Bank has received a vital boost from a recent food drive at Waitrose Monmouth, helping to tackle rising demand amid falling donations.

Over the course of a week, 20 volunteers engaged with shoppers between 10am and 4pm, distributing more than 600 leaflets explaining how the food bank operates and how people can help.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with 612 kilograms of food donated and £714 raised - funds that will go directly toward purchasing essential supplies.

Monmouth and District Food Bank, based at The Baptist Church on Monk Street, is part of The Trussell Trust network, which operates 428 food banks across the UK. The project is funded by local churches and community groups working together to tackle hunger in the area.

Since opening in 2013, the food bank has supported thousands of people. Last year alone, it provided food for 1,000 individuals—including 300 children—offering up to three emergency food parcels within a six-month period.

The food bank also works with Monmouth Library’s community hub, which holds emergency food parcels for those in urgent need outside of normal opening hours.

The food bank itself is open every Friday from 10am to 12 midday.

The bank relies entirely on public donations, but contributions have fallen by 30 per cent over the past two years due to the cost-of-living crisis. As a result, volunteers often have to purchase food to meet demand.

The recent food drive at Waitrose Monmouth was an important effort to raise awareness and encourage donations. The food bank is extremely grateful to Waitrose for its continued support and to everyone in the community who contributed.

For more information or to offer support, contact Monmouth and District Food Bank at 07960 579062 or email [email protected]