Chesterfield Foodbank appeals for public's support as demand for emergency supplies soars in cost of living crisis
Operators of a foodbank which supports people in crisis have issued an urgent appeal to the public amid soaring demand for its service.
In April alone, Chesterfield Foodbank helped more than 850 local people facing financial hardship and provided a total of 7,686 meals.
The foodbank supplies three days’ worth of emergency food on referral and on production of a valid voucher. Nearly 9,600 people in need received three-day emergency food supplies in 2025.
This year the charity has been forced to downsize its warehouse by moving into a smaller unit on Carrwood Road in a bid to reduce running costs. The warehouse is where donations are received, sorted and distributed to foodbank centres across Chesterfield and via the Hope Valley rural delivery service.
Describing the impact that the charity has on the people it supports, Jacqueline DeVeaux, who is communications, engagement and funding manager of Chesterfield Foodbank, said: “When people come, we want to make sure they are being really listened to and heard. They can sit, have a cup of tea, and just breathe and relax. They see a friendly face, a genuine smile - somebody who really cares and wants to listen.
“It's not just about handing over some food and saying, off you go. It's also about creating a plan of action and making sure they leave with a lot more hope than when they came in.”
To continue to be there for the community when they need it most, Chesterfield Foodbank relies on fundraising and is calling for more support.
Jacqueline said: “The general public really are so generous. Any help that we can get means we can sustain what we do, cover our overheads, and obviously make sure we don't have any gaps in our provision. We have to make sure all our food parcels are up to standard and nutritionally balanced.
“And it's not just food we provide. We also make sure people have got other basic essential items such as soap, toilet rolls, toothpaste, sanitary items. As well, any other items that are donated to us in terms of toiletries, cleaning products, or pet food we supply to people in need as well.”
The foodbank runs distribution sessions at St Michael’s Church hall in Brimington on Mondays from 12noon until 2pm, the African Caribbean Centre in Hasland on Mondays from 5pm to 6.30pm, The Compass Blend Youth Project in Chesterfield on Tuesdays from 1pm until 3pm, Whittington Moor Methodist Church hall on Thursdays from 2pm until 4pm and Loundsley Green Community Centre on Fridays from 1.45pm until 2.45pm.
Part of the Trussell community, Chesterfield Foodbank recently received a £500 grant through the easyfundraising Impact Fund. The money will fund the venue cost for the food bank’s Monday daytime sessions for an entire year.
When the food bank’s supporters sign up to easyfundraising and choose it as the cause they want to raise for, the retailers they shop with via the easyfundraising website or app will automatically donate a percentage of their purchase to Chesterfield Foodbank, without adding any extra expense to their bill. To date, the food bank has raised more than £680 via cashback donations.
Jacqueline said: “Partnering with easyfundraising is such a massive help and means we have one less bill to worry about. We're super delighted and really grateful. It does make a big difference to ease that pressure.
“easyfundraising is a fantastic supporter of charities like ours, not only through grants like the Impact Fund, but by giving our community an easy, everyday way to raise funds while they shop. It’s a simple idea that helps us sustain our services for the people who need them.”
Support Chesterfield Foodbank with every online shop at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/chesterfieldfoodbank
To find out more about the foodbank, go to https://chesterfield.foodbank.org.uk