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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.

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

Okehampton Food Bank would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Okehampton United Charities (OUC) for their generous support this year. Their funding has enabled us to use a dedicated room at the Ockment Centre, providing a safe, accessible, and welcoming space for our vital work.

Having a secure base has greatly improved the way we store and distribute food, meet clients confidentially, and create a warm, welcoming environment for those who need our help. Importantly, this dedicated room has also enabled us to invite advisors from Citizens Advice and Community Links to attend our sessions. As the only food poverty charity used exclusively by both organisations, we are able to ensure that individuals and families not only receive emergency food support but also have direct access to essential guidance on benefits, debt, housing, and wellbeing, helping them move towards longer-term stability.

OUC’s support has strengthened every part of our service. As the only free-to-use food poverty charity serving the Okehampton area, we rely on the generosity of local organisations and donors who share our commitment to supporting those in need.

The funding comes at a crucial time. Demand for our services continues to rise, and OUC’s grant enables us to provide not only essential non-perishable items but also fresh, nutritious food and vital personal hygiene products. For many facing financial hardship, these basic necessities, so important for health, dignity, and well-being, have become increasingly unaffordable.

Thanks to OUC, we are now able to offer a wider range of fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, as well as expand our supply of personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and baby essentials.

In addition, OUC has generously awarded a 75% grant to cover our main operating costs for the next 12 months. Each week, we see the impact of this support: the gratitude of a parent collecting fresh produce, the relief of someone receiving personal care items they could not otherwise afford, and the restored dignity that comes from meeting basic human needs.

On behalf of everyone at the Okehampton Food Bank and the many people we serve, we extend our deepest thanks to Okehampton United Charities. Your support allows us to continue our vital work with compassion, dignity, and care.

Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of local people.

Okehampton Food Bank
Nourishing Neighbours, Feeding Futures

A Heartfelt Thank You to Waitrose and Spreyton Village Shop

The Okehampton Food Bank extends sincere thanks to the customers and staff of Waitrose and Spreyton Village Shop for their continued generosity and incredible community spirit. Your support is making a real, lasting difference to individuals and families in need across our area.

Week after week, your thoughtful donations of essential food and household items help ensure that those facing tough times receive the help they need. This consistent support is vital to our mission and provides a safety net for those struggling to make ends meet.

We’re especially grateful to Spreyton Village Shop, whose team not only collects donations but also actively raises awareness around food insecurity in our local community. Your efforts show how a small business can have a big impact, and your dedication helps keep our shelves stocked with high-quality, nourishing food.

The Okehampton Food Bank depends on the kindness of individuals and local businesses to continue our work. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps bring hope, dignity, and relief to those going through difficult times.

To all who give so generously: thank you. Your compassion fuels our work and reminds us of the power of a community that cares.

Thank You