Darlington food bank forced to cut staff amid funding shortage

A food bank which provides thousands of free meals to struggling families each week said it had been forced to make most of its staff redundant due to a funding shortage.

King’s Foodbank, which operates out of King’s Church in Darlington and is funded by donations, provided more than 125,000 free meals to people last year.

Michael Coltman from the church said an increase in demand for the service due to the cost of living crisis meant it no longer had enough money to pay four of its five staff members.

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

Mr Coltman said the service, which is open to the public, would have to be scaled down.

He said food parcels would have to go to those most in need who had been referred by social services, 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 said: ”People in Darlington have been so kind and generous over the years and I’d ask if they could continue with their fantastic support as we try to provide for those in the most need.”