Darlington meals financial institution compelled to chop workers amid funding scarcity | EUROtoday

A meals financial institution which offers 1000’s of free meals to struggling households every week stated it had been compelled to make most of its workers redundant as a result of a funding scarcity.

King’s Foodbank, which operates out of King’s Church in Darlington and is funded by donations, supplied greater than 125,000 free meals to individuals final 12 months.

Michael Coltman from the church stated a rise in demand for the service as a result of the price of residing disaster meant it now not had sufficient cash to pay 4 of its 5 workers members.

He stated: “It’s sad when you’re forced into a decision based on finances, not because the need has dried up.”

Mr Coltman stated the service, which is open to the general public, must be scaled down.

He stated meals parcels must go to these most in want who had been referred by social providers, medical doctors or charities.

“We‘ve had to make change to the service we provide to people in need, based on finances and because we don’t have the provision to do it,” he said.

Manager Caroline Todd said the vast majority of people who had been accessing the service had “no other choice”.

She said: ”We see proud people coming here in tears. That’s just what absolutely breaks my heart, that people don’t want to access a food bank.“

“This is their last port of call.”

Staff said demand for the service had increased year on year, with many working families needing help with the cost of living.

Mr Coltman said the church was committed to keeping the service running in some capacity.

He stated: ”People in Darlington have been so variety and beneficiant over time and I’d ask if they might proceed with their unbelievable assist as we attempt to present for these in essentially the most want.”