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Would you like to volunteer at Okehampton Food Bank and make a practical difference to people in your local community?

For more than seventeen years, Okehampton Food Bank has been helping local people through some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Founded in 2008 as the seventh food bank to be established in the UK, it began with the simple belief that neighbours should help neighbours. Since then, the food bank has grown from supporting just a handful of families each week into a vital community service for Okehampton and the surrounding area.

Today, we continue that work from the Ockment Centre in North Street, and we are looking for new volunteers to join our friendly and dedicated team.

Whether you are searching for volunteer opportunities in Okehampton, hoping to support a local charity or simply have a few hours to spare, volunteering with us is a meaningful way to help people facing hardship.plays more block tools

Hunger Is Still Here in Okehampton

The people who come to Okehampton Food Bank are not strangers.

They are parents, children, older residents, people living with illness or disability, and working households whose income no longer covers the essentials.

A sudden job loss, an unexpected bill, delayed benefits or the rising cost of food and energy can leave almost anyone struggling to put meals on the table.

Through referrals from trusted local organisations, Okehampton Food Bank provides individuals and families with nutritious food and essential household items during times of hardship.

Where supplies allow, this includes:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Milk, butter, cheese and eggs
  • Tinned and dried food
  • Breakfast items
  • Toiletries and personal-care products
  • Baby products and other essential items

However, our work is about much more than filling bags with food.

It is about welcoming people without judgement, protecting their dignity and reminding them that their community has not forgotten them.

By becoming an Okehampton Food Bank volunteer, you can help ensure that local individuals and families receive practical assistance, kindness and respect when they need it most.

Volunteers Make It Possible

Every food parcel prepared, every shelf filled and every person welcomed through our doors depends upon the time, commitment and kindness of our volunteers.

Our volunteers help us to:

  • Receive and sort food donations
  • Check dates and organise stock
  • Restock shelves
  • Prepare the food bank for opening
  • Pack and distribute food
  • Welcome visitors with kindness and respect
  • Keep the food bank clean, organised and running smoothly

We are particularly looking for people who can help on Wednesdays, when fresh produce and other supplies are collected and the food bank is prepared for the following day, or on Thursday mornings when local families visit us.

A typical volunteering session lasts around two or three hours, and we will try to be flexible around your work, family and other commitments.

You do not need previous food bank experience. What matters most is that you are reliable, compassionate and able to treat everyone with dignity and confidentiality.

Appropriate guidance and training will be provided. Regular volunteers will also be asked to complete safeguarding training and a DBS check arranged by the food bank.

For anyone looking for food bank volunteering in Okehampton, this is an opportunity to join a welcoming team and contribute directly to an important local service.

Become Part of Our Story

Okehampton Food Bank has continued serving the town through economic uncertainty, the pandemic and the rising cost of living.

That has only been possible because generations of local people have been willing to step forward and help.

We are now inviting a new group of volunteers to become part of that story.

You may be retired and looking for a meaningful way to use your time. You may work part-time, have a few hours available each month or simply want to do something practical for people in your community.

Whatever your background, your time could make a genuine difference.

A few hours spent sorting donations, restocking shelves or preparing food parcels may seem like a small contribution. To a family facing an empty cupboard, it can mean everything.

Choosing to volunteer in Okehampton is also a valuable way to meet new people, support your community and use your time for a worthwhile cause.

Join Our Volunteer Team

To find out more about volunteering at Okehampton Food Bank, please contact us:

Okehampton Food Bank
Ockment Centre
31 North Street
Okehampton
EX20 1AR

Telephone: 07585 300537
If there is no answer, please leave a message or send a text.

Email: contact@okehamptonfoodbank.co.uk

You are also welcome to visit us on a Thursday morning to speak to a member of the team and collect a volunteer application form.

Whether you can help regularly or only have a few hours available each month, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Nourishing Neighbours, Feeding Futures

Together, we can make sure that no one in Okehampton has to face hunger alone.

When we think about hunger, many of us picture somewhere far away.

  • Another country.
  • Another city.
  • Another community.

But the truth is much closer to home.

Hunger lives here in Okehampton.

It might be the parent you see at the school gates each morning, quietly wondering how to stretch dinner for one more night.

It could be an elderly neighbour forced to make an impossible choice between heating or eating.

Or a hardworking family hit by an unexpected bill, a job loss, or rising energy costs — suddenly finding themselves struggling behind closed doors.

Food insecurity doesn’t always look the way we expect.

Many of the people who rely on Okehampton Food Bank are working, caring for families, and doing everything they can to stay afloat. Sometimes, all it takes is one setback, a broken washing machine, a missed pay cheque, or the rising cost of living, and putting food on the table becomes a daily worry.

And no one should have to face that alone.

Right Here in Our Community

Every week, individuals and families in Okehampton turn to the food bank for support.

They’re not strangers.

They’re our neighbours.

  • Children who need breakfast before school
  • Parents skipping meals so their kids can eat
  • Older residents living on fixed incomes

For many people, the food bank is not a long-term solution; it’s a lifeline during a difficult chapter, giving them breathing space while they get back on their feet.

Your Kindness Makes a Real Difference

The good news is this: because hunger is local, so is the solution.

Every donation stays right here in our community.

  • A few extra tins in your shopping basket.
  • A small monthly donation.
  • An hour of your time volunteering.

Together, these simple acts create something powerful.

A single food parcel can mean:

  • Hot meals for a family
  • Less stress and worry
  • The dignity of knowing someone cares

Sometimes it’s not just food we provide.

It’s hope.

Giving from the Heart

For many in our community, giving is also an expression of our Christian faith.

The Bible calls us to care for those in need, to share what we have, and to love our neighbours in practical ways. Supporting the food bank is one simple but powerful way to live out that calling, turning compassion into action and offering kindness, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.

Whether through prayer, donations, or volunteering, every act of generosity reflects the heart of a community looking after one another.

Be the Reason Someone Eats Tonight

None of us knows when we might need a little help ourselves.

That’s what makes Okehampton special.

We look out for each other.

If you’re able to donate food, funds, or time, you’re helping ensure that no one in our town has to go to bed hungry.

Because hunger doesn’t happen somewhere else.

It happens here.

And together, through faith and community, we can make sure no one faces it alone.

Donate today. Support your neighbours. Help Okehampton thrive.



The ethics of selling donated food

Are Community Larders Blurring the Line?

As the UK cost-of-living crisis continues, community food initiatives are expanding quickly. Community larders and kitchens are increasingly seen as alternatives to traditional food banks, but their growth has also prompted important ethical questions about how donated food should be distributed.

Food Banks vs Community Larders

Food banks, such as Okehampton Foodbank, which incidentally is the seventh longest serving food bank in the UK… provides donated food free of charge to people in verified need.

Community larders, by contrast, often charge small fees through memberships or per-item pricing, sometimes as little as 50p. Supporters argue that this approach is more sustainable, while critics say it can still create barriers for people who are already struggling financially.

The Key Question

Should people in poverty have to pay for food that was donated for free?

Even modest charges can accumulate over time, shifting support away from unconditional aid and towards a more transactional model.

Donor Expectations

Many people donate food through supermarket collections believing it will go directly to those in need. When donated items are instead sold, even at a low price, it can create a gap between expectation and reality and raise concerns about transparency, trust, and donor intent.

Surplus vs Donated Food

A key distinction shapes this debate:

  • Surplus food, which might otherwise go to waste, is generally seen as suitable for resale or redistribution.
  • Public donations, given specifically to support people in need, carry a different expectation.

Once publicly donated items are sold, the ethical context changes.

Where the Line Blurs

A balanced model might include:

  • Free emergency food
  • Low-cost options
  • Sale of surplus goods to fund services

Concerns arise, however, when selling becomes the main model and access to food depends on a person’s ability to pay.

Trust and Transparency

Clear communication is essential. Models such as Okehampton Foodbank build trust by ensuring that all donated food is distributed free of charge, while operational costs are covered separately.

The Bottom Line

Community larders play an important role in reducing waste, but as they expand, they are also attracting greater scrutiny.

Selling donated food may be justifiable, but only when it clearly serves people in need first.

When revenue begins to take priority over direct support, the model moves into more uncertain ethical territory.


Across the UK, many people have noticed that the weekly food shop costs more than it did a year ago. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that UK food prices increased by around 4–5% over the past year.

Families on lower incomes spend a larger share of their budget on essentials such as food and energy, which means price increases affect them more strongly than the average household. In addition, cheaper supermarket products have often increased faster than premium brands, meaning poorer shoppers can face higher inflation on the items they actually buy.

However, the real increase for many households in Okehampton and West Devon is likely to be higher.

When other factors are taken into account — including skimpflation, shrinkflation, added water or fillers in products, and the fact that many items used to calculate national inflation are simply unaffordable for poorer households — the real cost of maintaining the same diet may be closer to 7–10% for many families, and sometimes higher for those relying heavily on basic staple foods.

This difference between official statistics and everyday experience helps explain why rising food prices are being felt so strongly in communities like Okehampton.

What Is Skimpflation?

Skimpflation happens when the price of a product stays similar, but the quality or ingredients are reduced.

For example:

  • A ready meal may contain less meat and more sauce
  • Drinks may include more water or filler
  • Recipes may use cheaper ingredients

The price on the shelf may appear the same, but shoppers receive less nutritional value or lower-quality food for their money.

What Is Shrinkflation?

Shrinkflation occurs when the size or quantity of a product becomes smaller while the price stays the same.

For example:

  • A packet of biscuits may contain fewer biscuits
  • A chocolate bar may weigh less
  • A bag of pasta may hold a smaller amount

Because the packaging often looks the same, these changes can be difficult to notice.

Why Rising Food Prices Matter in Okehampton

When food prices rise, skimpflation and shrinkflation occur at the same time, and the real cost of feeding a household can rise faster than official inflation figures suggest.

For families in Okehampton and across West Devon, these pressures can make it harder to afford enough food each week.

At Okehampton Foodbank, we see the impact of rising food prices on local families every day. Many people seeking support are working households, pensioners, or individuals facing unexpected financial difficulties.

Supporting Families in Okehampton

Okehampton Foodbank exists to support people in our community who are experiencing food insecurity.


If you would like to help, you can:

Community support makes a real difference and helps ensure that everyone in Okehampton has access to food when they need it.

Strengthening Okehampton Food Bank Community Support

Okehampton Food Bank community support has been strengthened over the past year thanks to the generous backing of Okehampton United Charities.

Their funding has enabled us to continue with our dedicated room at the Ockment Centre. As a result, we now have a safe, accessible, and welcoming base for our work. This space helps us respond more quickly and effectively to local families who need help.

Simply put, it has transformed how we operate day to day.


A Safe and Welcoming Space at the Ockment Centre

Because we have a secure base, we can store food safely and organise supplies more efficiently. In turn, distributions run more smoothly and volunteers can focus on supporting people.

At the same time, we’re able to meet clients in private. This ensures conversations remain confidential and respectful.

Most importantly, the room creates a calm and friendly environment. As a result, people feel comfortable, supported, and treated with dignity from the moment they arrive.

More Than Food: Advice and Practical Help

However, food is only part of the support we offer.

Thanks to this dedicated space, advisors from Citizens Advice and Community Links now join us during food bank sessions. Because of this, families can access practical guidance straight away.

They can get help with:

  • Benefits
  • Debt and money worries
  • Housing concerns
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Accessing longer-term support

So, alongside emergency food, people receive advice and clear next steps. Together, this joined-up approach provides both immediate relief and the tools they need to move forward with confidence.

The Impact of Community Partnership in Okehampton

Importantly, the support of Okehampton United Charities has strengthened the daily running of the Food Bank. In turn, it has provided reassurance to the many residents who rely on us.

Meanwhile, demand for food support continues to grow across Okehampton and the surrounding area. Because of this, strong partnerships are more important than ever.

Community backing like this doesn’t just help in the short term. Instead, it builds lasting Okehampton Food Bank community support that benefits everyone.

Thank You to Our Supporters

Of course, we couldn’t do this work alone.

We depend on the kindness of local organisations, businesses, volunteers, and residents. Every donation, referral, and hour given makes a real difference.

We’re especially grateful to Okehampton United Charities for recognising the value of our service and helping us continue our work with care, dignity, and compassion.

How You Can Support Okehampton Food Bank

If you’d like to be part of the Okehampton Food Bank community support, there are many ways to help:

  • Donate food or funds
  • Volunteer your time
  • Partner with us as a local organisation
  • Contact us if you or someone you know needs support

Together, we can ensure no one in Okehampton faces hardship alone.

From Everyone at Okehampton Food Bank

Thank you to Okehampton United Charities and to everyone in our community who helps make this work possible.

With your support, we can continue providing vital food, advice, and hope to local people when they need it most.

From all of us at Okehampton Food Bank — thank you.

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Okehampton Food Bank gives heartfelt thanks to Okehampton United Charities for their generous support this past year. Their funding lets us use a dedicated room at the Ockment Centre. As a result, we now have a safe, accessible, and welcoming base for our work.

With this secure space, we store and distribute food more efficiently. In addition, we meet clients in private and offer a warm environment to anyone who needs help.

The room also lets us bring in advisors from Citizens Advice and Community Links during our sessions. Moreover, families and individuals receive both emergency food and practical guidance on benefits, debt, housing, and wellbeing. Therefore, people can work toward longer-term solutions, not just immediate relief.

Okehampton United Charities strengthens our daily operations. Meanwhile, their support gives reassurance to the many local people who rely on us.

We depend on the kindness of local organisations, businesses, and residents. Furthermore, we appreciate Okehampton United Charities for recognising the value of this service and helping us offer support with dignity and compassion.

Demand continues to grow. However, strong community partnerships help us meet this challenge. With this support, we respond more effectively and ensure no one in Okehampton or the surrounding area faces hardship alone.

From everyone at Okehampton Food Bank: thank you.

Okehampton Foodbank remains committed to offering completely free support to local people in crisis. Discover why the charity refuses to charge for essential help,  and how the community can continue to make this vital service possible.

Commitment to Compassion and Fairness

Okehampton Foodbank stands firm in its belief that no one facing hardship should be asked to pay for essential support. Charging for help would place an unfair burden on individuals and families already struggling to make ends meet. By keeping its services free, the foodbank removes financial barriers and ensures everyone can access support with dignity.

Support Without Barriers

The charity’s mission is clear: provide food and assistance to the most vulnerable members of the community at no cost. Hardship is challenging enough without added fees. Okehampton Foodbank aims to help people move forward, not hold them back, a core principle that sets it apart from organisations introducing paid models.

Community Support and Sustainability

The foodbank’s ability to stay free is made possible by the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners. Every donation of food, funds, or time helps sustain this vital service for local people.

Upholding Dignity in Times of Crisis

A spokesperson explains:

“In times of crisis, people need compassion, dignity, and support,  not another financial barrier. Our mission has always been to provide food and help to those who need it most, free of charge. We will never put a price on basic human needs.”

They add:

“Hardship is difficult enough without the added burden of costs. We are here to help people move forward, not to set them back.”

How to Support Okehampton Foodbank

The foodbank depends on continuous community generosity. Anyone wishing to help can:

  • Donate food or toiletries
  • Volunteer time
  • Make a financial contribution

Okehampton Foodbank manages the collection basket in Waitrose Okehampton, and remains deeply grateful to customers and staff for their ongoing support. Donations placed in the basket are collected regularly by volunteers.

Those wishing to donate financially can use the bank details below:

Account Name: The Okehampton Food Bank
Account Number: 53504463
Sort Code: 30-99-50
Bank: Lloyds

Thank you for supporting this essential community service.

How Okehampton pulls together to fight hunger.

When Sarah* (name changed) walked through the doors of Okehampton Foodbank for the first time, she admits she was terrified.

“I thought I’d be judged, that people would look down on me for not being able to feed my kids,” she said. “But instead, they welcomed me with a smile. They made me feel human again.”

Stories like Sarah’s are becoming increasingly common. In the past two years alone, demand at Okehampton Foodbank has risen by an extraordinary 94 per cent a year over the last three years. Behind every statistic is a family facing difficulty, often through no fault of their own, whether it’s sudden illness, job loss, or delayed benefits.

What sets the foodbank apart, say those who use it, is how it treats people. There are no lectures, no shame. Volunteers meet families with dignity and respect, and support continues for as long as needed.

“We never want anyone to feel like they’re taking charity,” said Malcolm, the foodbank’s coordinator. “Our aim is to treat everyone with kindness and to walk alongside them until they’re steady again. Sometimes that’s a few weeks, sometimes longer – and that’s okay. It’s what we do, and what we have done since 2008.”

Volunteers echo that message.

“It could be any of us,” said Jon, who helps with fresh fruit and vegetables.

“Life can turn upside down so quickly. I always think, if I were in that situation, how would I want people to treat me? With respect. With dignity. That’s the heart of what we do.”

Beyond the foodbank, Okehampton has built other layers of support. At the Ockment Centre, volunteers stock the Community Fridge daily with surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Anyone can walk in and help themselves. Parents stopping by after school often pick up fruit and vegetables, while older residents come for bread and milk.

“It feels like sharing, not charity,”

said Lucy, a local mum who uses the fridge regularly.

“You take what you need, and if you’ve got something spare at home, you can put it in. It’s neighbourly.”

The Devon and Cornwall Food Action pop-up hub also adds support, arriving once a month at Okehampton Rugby Club, organised by Rotary Okehampton. For £30, families can pre-order a generous bag of fresh and cupboard staples. “It’s amazing how much you get,” said Paul, a father of three. “It takes the pressure off for a couple of weeks, especially when bills are stacking up.”

Each project meets a different need. The foodbank provides a safety net in moments of crisis, offering compassion and steady aid. The community fridge adds flexibility while reducing waste. The pop-up hub offers affordable groceries in bulk for families struggling week to week but not in immediate crisis.

Together, they tell a story of a town pulling together—volunteers giving time, families helping one another, and organisations working side by side. In Okehampton, hunger is met not with judgment but with community, kindness, and the promise that no one has to face it alone.

Names changed to protect privacy.

When Sarah* walked into Okehampton Foodbank for the first time, she felt terrified. “I thought people would judge me for not being able to feed my kids,” she said. “But instead, someone smiled and welcomed me. They made me feel human again.”

However, Sarah’s story isn’t unique. In the past two years, demand at Okehampton Foodbank has surged by 94%. Families hit by illness, job loss, or delayed benefits now rely on its help more than ever.

So, what makes this foodbank different? The answer is simple: people. Volunteers consistently treat everyone with dignity and kindness, never with shame.

“We walk alongside people until they’re steady again,” explained the coordinator.

In addition, Jon, a volunteer, shared his perspective:

“It could be any of us. Life can change overnight. I just ask myself—how would I want to be treated? With respect.”

Yet Okehampton’s response extends far beyond the foodbank itself.

  • Community Fridge at the Ockment Centre – stocked daily with surplus food that anyone can take. Parents often grab fruit after school, while older residents pick up bread and milk.

  • Devon and Cornwall Food Action pop-up hub – held monthly at the rugby club and organised by Rotary Okehampton. Families can pre-order a £30 bag filled with fresh and cupboard staples.

As a result, each project meets a different need: the foodbank offers crisis support, the fridge encourages sharing while cutting waste, and the hub delivers affordable groceries.

Ultimately, together they tell a story of a town pulling together—neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers giving their time, and organisations working side by side.

In Okehampton, hunger meets not with judgment, but instead with community, kindness, and the promise that no one has to face it alone

If you find that you need help from the Foodbank, then please pop in and see us. We can be found in the Ockment Centre every Thursday morning. We have professional advisors on hand to help with any problems you might be facing, so do come and see us.

If you would like to support the work of the Food Bank, then follow this link to our donations page

Names changed to protect privacy.

Are CIC’s Charities?

What That Means for Community Support in Okehampton and making the most of your donations.

Open the door to donations

We’ve had a few questions recently about the difference between Community Interest Companies (CICs) and Charities, so we wanted to help clear things up; especially for those looking to support local causes such as The Okehampton Food Bank.

CICs (Community Interest Companies) aren’t charities. While they do important work and aim to benefit the community, they operate as companies, not charities.


Charities, like The Okehampton Food Bank, register with the Charity Commission and must meet strict requirements for public benefit and charitable purpose. They also qualify for tax reliefs such as Gift Aid. Charities put all money directly into charitable work, with no profits and no shareholders.

CICs follow different regulations. They can pay directors and distribute some profits (within certain limits). Although many CICs carry out fantastic work, they don’t qualify for the same tax benefits as registered charities.

One key difference many donors overlook is that CICs cannot claim Gift Aid on donations. This makes a real impact, when you donate to a CIC, the organisation receives only what you give. But when you donate to a charity like The Okehampton Food Bank, the government adds 25% to your donation through Gift Aid. For example, if you give £100 to a registered charity like ours, the charity receives £125, significantly boosting the vital work we do.

Understanding these differences matters because they determine how your donation is used and what tax advantages apply. When you support a registered charity, your donation goes further, and you can give confidently, knowing the charity operates under strict regulations for public good. This level of oversight ensures transparency and accountability, both essential when helping those in need.

By supporting a registered charity like The Okehampton Food Bank, you help ensure that every penny directly serves the public good, with complete transparency and proper oversight.

If you wish to donate food items, you can find our current list of needed items HERE