Darlington church food bank to limit people to one bag over costs

A food bank has to hand over just one bag food a month as it is running out of money.

St. Mary’s Church in the Cockerrton region of Darlington said that it was struggling to maintain service, which could end.

Father Damon Bez said that the church was spending more than £ 200 per week on Food Bank and if the spending level continues, it would have to be closed by July.

“So we don’t completely close, we have to make incredibly difficult decisions to quit our offer in a bag at the beginning of a month in May,” he said.

“In weeks intervene, customers are welcome to come and drop for coffee and help yourself in whatever fresh food that has eaten that week.

“Food bank will still be open every week and new customers who come together will be given food bags for four weeks. Sadly, we cannot maintain it for everyone at all times.”

St. Mary announced a few days after the Kings Church, also in Darlington, revealing that she had withdrawn her food bank operation after a decline in funding.

According to the local democracy reporting service, this service provided more than 125,000 free food to the people last year, but despite the increased demand, it saw the donation drought.

Orthodox Jonathan Dalston said the cuts should act as a wake-up call for the Labor-led Darlington Boro Council.

“This is now an opportunity for us to reconsider how our food banks work together in partnership in Boro,” he said.

Money was allocated from the Domestic Assistance Fund of the Council to the Kings Church Food Bank to help in maintaining it.

Darlington Boro Council has been approached for a comment.