We spent a day at a Darlington foodbank to see what it's like

Within ten minutes this has doubled. As the recent closure of Food For Thought and NQA Foodbank in Darlington, many people are turning to King’s.

Based at The King’s Centre on Prospect Place, the foodbank supports people from a range of backgrounds; those with disabilities, long-term health conditions, addictions, the homeless, the elderly, those between jobs, those on a low income and those who struggle to make Universal Credit stretch to feed their families.

Never has the cost-of-living crisis been so apparent. With energy prices sky-rocketing, and another increase set for October, food prices soaring and inflation levels higher than they have been since the Second World War and the removal of the £20 per week Universal Credit increase, it isn’t surprising that so many are struggling.

A team of volunteers is responsible for packing food parcels and making sure those most in need get their essentials. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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One man I spoke to, who didn’t want to be named, said he was grateful the foodbank was here otherwise he didn’t know how he would feed himself.

Food is donated by supermarkets, local charities, schools and the general public. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Money, or the lack thereof, is the reason people use foodbanks. Manager of King’s Foodbank, Caroline Todd said that although this is a rich country, none of us is far away from poverty.

Caroline and her team don’t just provide basic essentials, they give advice and support too.

Tinned good and breakfast cereals were among those most frequently donated. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Caroline said: “This is a rich country, but we see so many people struggling. Since the start of the pandemic we had a lot of people come in who had never had to use a foodbank before.

"Some people are so ashamed when they first come in, and they’re crying and avoid eye contact because most people don’t want to use foodbanks. They don’t want to rely on them and for many people they have to come here through no fault of their own.”

Numbers of those coming to this foodbank have increased recently due to the closure of Food For Thought and NQA Foodbank. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Caroline tells me that one man who comes to King’s has just over £200 a month to live on and so heavily relies on the generosity of those at the foodbank for help.

A typical ‘food box’ for a single person comprises dried pasta, a tin of soup, long-life milk, biscuits, tea bags, fruit and vegetables including bananas, oranges, carrots and potatoes. Nappies, shampoo and deodorant are supplied if required.

This only goes so far though and it’s unsurprising that many attend numerous foodbanks over a week.

The foodbank is open three days a week for two hours. Around 50 people use this foodbank on an average day, although that number has been known to be closer to 90.

On an average day at King's Foodbank, around 50 people come through the doors needing basic essentials. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Volunteer Andrew Coltman said: “When someone new comes in we ask them where they live, what circumstances they’re in, whether they’re supporting children, what benefits they’re on, whether they’re in work etc.

“We give out one meal a day for seven days, so for example, one tin equals one meal.”

The Prime Minister admitted on Tuesday (May 3) that the Government “can do more” to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, but warned that a big new support package risked pushing up inflation and interest rates.

Boris Johnson also said that high levels of extra public spending could lead to an “inflationary spiral”.

Conservative party strategists admitted that the cost-of-living crisis is the main issue for voters before yesterday's council elections (Thursday May 5).

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