Malmesbury food bank ramps up efforts to support families in need this Christmas
Volunteers share stories behind fighting food poverty in Wiltshire
As Christmas approaches, Malmesbury food bank has dedicated itself to providing additional support to local residents facing food poverty. Volunteers are ensuring that people have access to emergency food parcels, extra vouchers for festive meals, and a ‘help yourself’ table with donations tailored to different needs.
Christmas is the busiest time of year for the food bank, which operates with one paid employee and a team of around 110 volunteers across its Malmesbury and Cricklade locations. Last year, the food bank distributed 2,500 food parcels, with a third of them going to children.
Tina Oakley, who oversees volunteer recruitment and engagement, explained the scale of the operation:
“Behind the scenes, it takes a lot of organisation to make it happen. From collecting food at supermarkets to sorting donations in the warehouse and delivering boxes to centres – it’s a collaborative effort.”
While the food bank helps with immediate needs, Oakley highlighted the wider issues driving food poverty.
“It’s predominantly low incomes combined with the high cost of living. But redundancy, abuse, or unexpected challenges can put anyone in that position. For example, we recently met a professional person who was made redundant 18 months ago and hasn’t been able to find work. He came to the food bank for the first time this week and never imagined he’d need to use one.”
To address the root causes, Citizens Advice Wiltshire provides advice at every food bank session, helping clients find financial solutions and regain independence.
Oakley said: “Citizens Advice has been transformational. They lift people out of poverty financially and help them become self-sufficient. While it’s great to see people move on, there’s always someone new arriving, which shows the ongoing need for our work."
The food bank relies heavily on its volunteers to keep running smoothly, and Oakley actively recruits for roles across collection, sorting, and distribution. She also calls on the community for support, highlighting their need for a dedicated fundraiser to help ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Beyond their operational roles, volunteers spread awareness through outreach initiatives. These include engaging with schools and community groups, such as Cubs and Girl Guides, to educate about food banks and encourage donations.
“Outreach has been so rewarding and worthwhile. Over the harvest period, we’ve had fantastic contributions thanks to these talks. We’re also building a presence at local events, like the Malmesbury carnival, to increase awareness about why food banks are vital even in relatively affluent rural areas.”
Oakley emphasised the importance of treating clients with respect and care in every interaction: “For some people, coming to the food bank is the only contact they have during the week. We want to offer a warm welcome with a listening ear and a cup of tea to help ease the stigma and create a positive experience.”
The food bank works primarily on referrals from schools, churches, doctors, and social services. While occasional walk-ins do happen, referrals allow staff and volunteers to prepare tailored parcels based on family size and need well in advance.
Oakley concluded: “Our aim, alongside the Trussell Trust, is to help end the need for food banks entirely. There’s still a long way to go, but every bit of community and volunteer support brings us closer to that goal.”