Rutland Foodbank have released a 'Spring wish-list' of items most needed by the service and its users.

Rutland Foodbank are a local charity supporting residents who are suffering food poverty. The demand for their services has seen a sharp increase following the cost-of-living crisis.

Between 1 April and the 30 September 2022, Rutland Foodbank delivered 349 emergency food and toiletries packs. This number has only risen.

Despite having already responded to 624 referrals this financial year, the Rutland Foodbank team are inundated with calls for help from local groups, individuals and households.

As such, they have shared a 'shopping list' of the goods most requested in the hopes that the Rutland community can, once again, come together to support one another.

Chair of Trustees at Rutland Foodbank, Ali Wainwright, said: "Despite the most wonderful level of donations for Harvest and Christmas we are beginning to see gaps appearing on our shelves. Please find attached our Spring Wish-List of items we are running short of.

"We have just completed our busiest month since 2020-21 (year one of the pandemic) having received 85 referrals and provided ingredients for over 5,000 meals during the month. A significant number of our referrals this month were for new households, indicative of the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis.

"We know that our main referral agency Citizens Advice Rutland is also under considerable pressure at this time and we wish to place on record our thanks to the advisors for the support they are giving to food bank clients to ensure they are getting all the benefits, grants and allowances they are entitled to."

Goods required include:

• long-life puddings
• UHT milk
• jam and spreads (not marmalade)
• tinned and dried potatoes
• microwave rice sachets
• tinned rice puddings
• crackers and crispbreads
• shower gel and soaps
• non-bio washing tabs

The team have plenty of soups, beans, tinned fish, cereals and squash.

For residents wishing to donate food, you can drop goods off at specific locations in and around Rutland:

Image courtesy of Rutland Foodbank.

Those wishing to donate money can do so here.

Ali Wainwright continued: "Fortunately, unlike many other food banks, due to the amazing support from our donors we are still able to pick & pack 7-day food & toiletry packs and are continuing with our delivery service across the whole county. Our deliveries range from packs for one person, single parents, couples, families, to several households with upwards of five or more adults & children not forgetting their pets.

"We help many and varied households across the county and will continue to do so until we reach the stage where no-one is facing the heat or eat challenge and where households have sufficient income to afford the basics. Sadly, it seems that situation to still too far away for so many in our community. So for now our volunteers, supporters and donors are ready to help fellow Rutland residents who are struggling."

Find out more on the Rutland Foodbank website, where you can donate or access support from the local team.