“Awesome” community response saves food bank from temporary closure

Rhymney Valley Foodbank was saved from temporary closure thanks to an “awesome” community response.

The food bank, which runs in Aberbargoed, Rhymney and New Tredegar, faced closing temporarily on April 13 due to a lack of stock –  despite having ten tonnes in early March.

Steve Jones, food bank operations manager put out an appeal for help and the response was so “fantastic” that stock was replenished within 24 hours and closure was avoided.

“Everybody pulled together to try to restock us,” said Steve, “the community response really did restore my faith in humanity.”

He continued: “People were just turning up at St Peter’s Church in Aberbargoed [the food bank’s headquarters], rolling their sleeves up asking what they could do to help,” this included offering to do deliveries, shopping in the supermarket, share the appeal on social media and donating food. 

“It was awesome,” he added. 

Donations also came from organisations. “Amazingly, within 24 hours Caerphilly County Borough Council social services department got us just under two ton[nes] of food,” said Steve.

Linc Cymru, a housing association and care provider, also donated to the cause after seeing a Caerphilly Observer article. 

Natalie Hawkins, Linc Cymru’s Social Value Manager, said: “When Linc colleagues saw the appeal we knew we wanted to support the Rhymney Valley Foodbank. At Linc, we understand that food banks are a lifeline for many people and were pleased to be able to play our part. 

“Using money from our social value pot, money that is dedicated to supporting local community groups, we were able to make an online food order that was delivered to Rhymney Valley Foodbank.

“In addition, Linc has made a donation of £2,000 to ensure the Foodbank can continue to make a difference in the community.”

There has been an increase in the use of the food bank, which is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of 428 food banks, compared to previous years – this is because people are “feeling the pinch”, according to Steve. 

“We received some information from the Trussell Trust to say that Rhymney Valley Foodbank was one of the busiest food banks in all of Wales.

“As a resident living in the Upper Rhymney Valley myself, I think that is quite a worrying and startling statistic.” 

Steve hopes things will “normalise” and fewer people will need to use the food bank if, as he has been advised, the cost-of-living eases by October 2023.

But the stock crisis showed Steve that additional support is needed. 

“We now know that the food bank will never be able to operate at its current capacity, just being reliant on donations,” he said, adding that getting grant assistance will be part of the future approach. 

There are also additional businesses who have offered to donate and Steve now has a list of contacts to call on “in critical situations”. 

While new stock continues to be weighed the food bank remains “fully functioning.” 

Despite this, Steve has made a vow to ensure that stock never runs out again.

“That is never going to happen again,” he said.