Help for those struggling with food costs in Gloucestershire this winter
Cirencester food bank head shares tips for accessing support
Cirencester Foodbank is encouraging people struggling with food costs this winter to reach out for help as soon as possible.
With the colder months driving up energy bills and school holidays affecting families’ budgets, food banks across the area are seeing high demand.
The winter period presents challenges with higher heating costs and limited access to free school meals during holidays.
Christmas adds to the pressures, with families facing additional expenses on festive celebrations.
Anton Wynn, who runs the foodbank, says that some might turn to credit cards or catalog shopping to cover seasonal costs, which could lead to financial difficulties in the early months of the new year.
He said: “Reach out early if you are thinking that you're going to struggle over the Christmas period.
"The food banks are here to help, as are other food support organisations, and the sooner you reach out, the sooner we can make sure that you've got that support in place.”
According to Trussell Trust, a partner of Cirencester Foodbank, they are on track to distribute a food parcel every 10 seconds this winter, following last year’s record distribution of 740,000 parcels between December and February.
How to get help
For those needing assistance it's recommended to contact local food banks or Citizens Advice for guidance on accessing food vouchers and other support, reaching out early helps avoid a deepening financial crisis, as acting sooner opens up more avenues of help.
Families can also explore affordable food clubs, food pantries, and community fridges listed on the Feeding Gloucestershire website. These initiatives provide surplus or discounted food and can help ease the burden on household finances.