Sutton Bridge Community Larder appeals for more food donations as increased demand anticipated

A food bank which serves one of the most deprived areas locally is expecting to see a rise in demand as the cost of living crisis bites.

Sutton Bridge Community Larder is appealing for more donations of food to help people who are living in a three mile radius of the village who will be struggling in the coming months.

Currently the community larder, which is independent, is providing food for customers who are aged between two months and 92-years-old.

Chairman Terry York is expecting to see a rise in demand and said that one of the problems facing Sutton Bridge is the shortage of social housing.

He said: “We have a lot of substandard housing in Sutton Bridge. Landlords are charging a very hight rent for what they are providing and people are struggling.

“Some people are paying £100 to rent somewhere and that is a lot of money out of an allowance.

“It is a major problem and we have got to provide more social housing that is of a decent quality.”

Mr York said that he has seen properties in the village with damp and black mould, poor sanitation and also cramped conditions.

He said: “I have seen places with electrics that are totally dangerous and the landlords are milking the system in that they are over charging people for electricity or provide meters.”

The larder, which was founded eight years ago and works with the big factories in the area, moved into its own premises in the Railway Lane Industrial Estate last year.

This move has proved successful with the 12 volunteers and the customers.

Volunteers aim to be flexible and ensure that goods placed in the parcels are items that customers will eat and know how to cook to ensure nothing is wasted.

Mr York said: “We have to be flexible. Our job is to help and when this started our vicar David Oxtoby had a dream that no-one in Sutton Bridge will go to hungry and we have tried as far as we can to carry on that dream.”

Along with helping local people, the team are also working with an Armenian ministry to send over aid to Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing to Moldova.

The larder is appealing for sanitary products, creams such as E45, baby items along with confectionary and small toys. Sleeping bags are also needed.