Food banks 'also hit by impacts of the big squeeze'
It's claimed as the cost of living rises, shoppers in supermarkets are donating fewer items for food banks
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
We've learnt food banks in Devon are having to make cutbacks as a result of the rising cost of living.
All this week we're focussing on what we're calling 'the big squeeze' and what actions families can take. The latest figures show, across the South West, nine in 10 people say they're feeling poorer - and half of people have already cut back on non-essentials.
Councillor David Cox, chair of Homeless in Teignbridge Support or HITS, said: "As a rural food bank we use vans to go out to deliver.
"The increase is fuel means we havw to pay more to do the same amount of items. We have to buy more food because we're seeing a reduction in the food being given to us - understandably because people are struggling.
"Obviously with the Ukraine situation, the amount of cash donations is also reducing so we're being squeezed at both ends. We think we can rise to the occasion, we have a great bunch of volunteers who keep us going.
"We will use them to help us to cut costs - but we are having to look at how much we do.
"We are going to no longer put money on key meters because we can't afford to do that."