Amanda Bloomfield CEO of Gatehouse charity in Bury St Edmunds speaks out about challenges as foodbank marks 10 years

The chief executive of a Bury St Edmunds charity has spoken of the challenges and difficulties the organisation has overcome as its foodbank marks 10 years since opening.

Amanda Bloomfield became CEO of Gatehouse charity 13 years ago and has seen an unprecedented increase in demand over the years which she and her volunteers have worked hard to respond to.

This year marks 10 years since the foodbank opened within the charity, a momentous occasion for the team that comes during its annual Christmas hamper appeal.

“The need is definitely rising out there, and we don’t expect it to stop any time soon,” said Amanda.

“Numbers have increased significantly due to the economic crisis, the Covid crisis, and now the cost of living crisis.

“There is always something that comes up and we have had to rise to the challenge.”

Amanda joined the charity – in search of something new – after more than 15 years in corporate roles, and a lot has changed since she arrived.

“I saw this job come up and it looked really exciting - they were looking for someone to update the charity and bring it into digital times,” she said.

“There have been huge changes in the charity since I started. There is a lot more structure to what we do, a lot more interaction with the local community and businesses to raise the profile of the charity and a lot of support from local people.”

She said that secondhand furniture and clothing had grown in popularity over the years as recycling had become more widely accepted, helping to break down the stigma.

’People are using our services without embarrassment. When I first joined, people felt it was a bit of a secret that they came here but now it is a bit more open in the community,” she said.

Gatehouse, formerly The St Louis Family Service, was established in 1986 by a Catholic nun, Sister Helena Moss, of the Order of St Louisa and focused on providing household items for low income families.

’’I believe she was a force to be reckoned with and if she thought something needed to be done in the community you got on and did it,” said Amanda.

’I try and fill those shoes the best I can by responding to whatever the need is in the community.’

When the foodbank launched in 2012, it was a collaborative effort that included a handful of small churches who were already hosting donation points to support local families.

At the time, just 100 Christmas parcels were being created but this year the charity needs more than 600 to fulfil demand.

’The ultimate aim would be for foodbanks not to be required. However, while they are required it is nice to know that we are here and able to fill that need, and the local community helps us with these donations,” Amanda said.

’I have found the community in Bury to be really friendly, really keen to work together with the same aim.’

n This year the Bury Free Press is joining up with Gatehouse to help collect donations for their Christmas foodbank drive.

If you can spare a can or two you can bring your donations to the Bury Free Press office in Kings Road.

Alternatively, those who wish to donate money can do so at www.localgiving.com/charity/gatehouse.

The collection will end at 4pm on Monday, November 28.