Gatehouse in Bury St Edmunds urges public to give where they can as demand doubles but donations have dropped

A foodbank charity is urging the public to donate where they can as the number of donations has dropped meaning it has had to prioritise vital services.

Gatehouse, based in Dettingen Way in Bury St Edmunds, has teamed up with The Apex to put a donations bin within the venue.

It comes as the demand for the food parcels service it offers has doubled while donations have dropped by about 5 per cent.

Chief executive Amanda Bloomfield said: “As the need has risen in Bury, the number of donations has dropped as well.

“We have doubled the number of food parcels we’re giving out each week.

“The cost-of-living crisis isn’t just affecting those in severe deprivation but everybody is impacted by the cost of fuel, heating and electric. Those people that would normally donate very generously have had to look at how much they can give, so understandably donations are down.

“Unfortunately, we have had to reduce the number of items people can get at our Social Supermarket. We must put the food parcels first.”

Amanda added that the charity saw 40 or 50 referrals a week for food parcels and at Christmas 700 additional parcels were given out.

Gatehouse also continues to run its Home Store, where people can buy second hand furniture and clothing, as well as its Community Lunch, Warm Welcome Café and free NHS health checks.

However Amanda said she was worried the charity won’t be able to continue its important services.

“We are concerned if donations don’t increase,” she said. “We rely on donations from members of the public and businesses. We don’t have constant Government grants coming to us, so it is purely based on the generosity of the local community to keep those services going.

“And if we can’t provide those services who will? Where will those people turn to to enable them to eat?”

arc Shopping Centre, which chose Gatehouse as its charity for this year, will be organising workshops on behalf of the foodbank charity with the first one on July 26.

Finally, Amanda urges those who are struggling to ask for help when they need it.

“Our main message is if you need help then ask – don’t be afraid to come forward,” she said.

“The sooner the better, rather than hitting a crisis situation.

“And for those who are able to donate, even if you don’t feel you can donate a lot, anything you can give is much appreciated.”