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.