VOLUNTEERS are busy ensuring struggling families get a helping hand this Christmas - as they reveal there's been a huge increase in the amount of people using Weymouth Foodbank.

In the eight months up to August this year, a total of 4,573 people visited the foodbank to pick up food, compared with 2,616 for the same period in 2022 - an increase of 75 per cent.

The scale of food poverty in the Weymouth area is a real problem, according to the charity’s warehouse manager and trustee Andy White.

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting the people of Weymouth hard and Mr White has also noticed a change in the type of people he sees using the foodbanks.

He said: “It is clear from the numbers that there is a big issue.

“The levels of donations remain static but it is just not keeping pace with the demand.

“We would rather not have to be here, but while there is a need, we will do it.”

Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for the foodbank's warehouse situated on the Granby Industrial Estate. 

As well as providing the regular food deliveries to its three collection points across Weymouth, the team of volunteers have also been providing extra Christmas hampers.

Dorset Echo: Weymouth Foodbank warehouse on Granby Industrial Estate Weymouth Foodbank warehouse on Granby Industrial Estate (Image: Andy Jones)

The foodbank had already helped more people in the first eight months of 2023 than for the whole of 2022.

To keep up with the demand, the charity is having to rely more on buying food in and estimates it is spending around £2,000 a week to supplement the donations it already receives.

Mr White added: “We have to bulk buy from Morrisons, and we are spending quite a lot on food.

“There has been a big shift to spending money on food to keep up with the demand. It is the busiest year by far.”

Dorset Echo: Donations received are sorted through by a team of volunteers before being redistributed to the collection points Donations received are sorted through by a team of volunteers before being redistributed to the collection points (Image: Andy Jones)

He added: “We are seeing more families using the foodbank instead of individuals or couples. This is a big shift due to the cost of living rising.”

The foodbank is run by churches across Weymouth, with its warehouse situated on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The policy is that no-one will be turned away without food the first time they visit but a referral system is in operation for future visits and people will be advised about this when they drop in.

Collection points can be found at Westham Methodist Church on Newstead Road from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Weymouth Baptist Church near Alexandra Gardens along the Esplanade from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, and on Wednesdays, St Francis Church in Littlemoor is open from 10.30am until 1.30pm.

The charity is looking mainly for non-perishable goods and also welcomes financial donations which go towards buying food and helping to pay the utilities and bills at its warehouse.

To find out more information you can call them on 0753 1167465 or visit them online at www.weymouthfoodbank.co.uk or on Facebook at the Weymouth Foodbank Facebook page.