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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.