2025 has already been an incredibly tough year for many. Wages simply haven’t kept up with the cost of food and, at Cambridge City Foodbank, we are being impacted by this both in terms of the numbers of people we serve and the amount we receive in donations.
When assessing the latest figures in terms of need and donations for our Foodbank, across the past 12 months (February 2024 – January 2025), we received the lowest amount in donations since before the pandemic (February 2019 – January 2020).
In tandem, the amount of three-day emergency food parcels we have provided to those in need has increased by over 90 percent across the same period. We are in the midst of a deeply concerning situation where we are watching our average levels of need increase year on year while, simultaneously, our pool of donated funds and food is diminishing.
At this point, I must share how incredibly grateful I am to those who donate to us. Whether it’s one pack of pasta, or an entire shopping trolley full, you are playing a vital role in ensuring that no one in Cambridge goes without food. It is not an overstatement to say that, without you, thousands of people in Cambridge would be facing hunger alone, and I thank you sincerely for all that you do.
Looking back, we were incredibly fortunate to have had a bumper December in terms of donations. The Christmas period is always the busiest time for our Foodbank, and despite the challenging economic climate, you, the people of Cambridge, donated a staggering 16,591kg of food. This immense generosity helped us get through what was a very challenging month.
December is a time of celebration, hope, and giving, and we are genuinely blown away by people’s willingness to give each year.
During my first month as CEO, I can vividly remember standing in a supermarket and seeing someone drop off an entire shopping trolly full of food to donate. This sort of generosity is just incredible.
Typically, December leads to an influx of food coming into our warehouse that helps us meet the rise in need over the Christmas period. However, January and February are much tougher months for the Foodbank.
Each year, we see a significant drop off in donations between December and January. This is usually counteracted by a drop in need for emergency food but, this year, this drop has been markedly lower than in years previously. In December, we distributed a total of 1,718 parcels, while in January, we distributed 1,707. This is a reduction in need of just 0.6 percent.
If we are to truly end hunger in Cambridge, it is going to take all of us. Cambridge City Foodbank will always be here to provide food without judgement to those who need it, and to campaign for changes to the policies that are keeping people in poverty.
However, as an independent local charity, we rely on the support of the people and businesses in Cambridge. I truly empathise with those who are no longer able to support charities in the ways in which they used to due to the high cost of living, but I must ask, if you are able to do so, please do continue to support us.
If you work or own a business, perhaps you could consider holding a collection within your workplace? Or if you have corporate social responsibility requirements to support a local charity, our visitors would be so incredibly grateful for your donations.
Individually, if you are reading this and would like to support our Foodbank, anything you are able to give is greatly appreciated.
We have collection points within almost every supermarket within the city. If you are able to drop even just one item of own brand food into one of these collection baskets, the difference you could make is huge.
The generosity we witnessed throughout the end of last year was incredible. To receive such large quantities of food gives me hope that we will eventually end hunger in Cambridge. But what I must ask of you now is, if you are able, please donate what you can.
It doesn’t matter if it is one can or a crateful, without regular, consistent donations, we will struggle to continue to provide the support that we do. Anything you can give directly means that someone in Cambridge is not having to go hungry.
To find out how you can support Cambridge City Foodbank, visit: https://cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/
FOOTNOTE: The author Steve Clay is CEO of Cambridge City Foodbank
