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.