Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA), which coordinates emergency food provision across the city, is calling on the public, local businesses and community groups to support its Summer Food Drive, running until Monday, 1 September.
The charity says demand has reached record levels, with more new people seeking help than ever before — and warns that one in three children in Derby may go hungry over the school holidays.
Paul Brookhouse, manager of DF4TA, says the situation is now critical.
“As of today, we’re facing a serious challenge: we expect to run out of food by Friday 25 July,” he said. “We are running desperately low, and things are getting serious. We simply don’t have the funds to keep spending £8,000 to £10,000 a month on food.”
DF4TA is aiming to raise £15,000 to keep food supplies going through the summer months.
Rising food and energy prices are putting more pressure on families across the city, and although DF4TA spent £110,000 on food last summer, current stock levels are falling fast.
Paul added:
“We are enormously grateful for the support we receive from local people, schools and businesses – but we are struggling again.
“Right now, we must meet the immediate needs of families. It disappoints me to keep making urgent appeals for help, but what else can we do? People will be going hungry if we don’t step in.”
The charity has been working to transform how food support is delivered in Derby, through the development of local community food hubs and pantries. But in the short term, it says, immediate donations are essential.
How you can help:
Donate food at one of three drop-off points:
- Derbion (outside Sainsbury’s)
- Asda Sinfin
- Morrisons Chaddesden
Most needed items include:
- Tinned meat (hot and cold), tuna
- Tinned fruit and vegetables
- UHT milk, long-life juice
- Tea and coffee sachets
- Pasta, rice, cereal (500g or less), toiletries, biscuits
You can also support the charity financially:
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Join the Squid Army to give regularly
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Businesses are invited to join the DF4TA 100 Club by donating £100 per month
To offer support or find out more, email [email protected] or call 01332 227730.