NORTH Bristol and South Gloucestershire Foodbank is appealing for support after stocks a fall in stocks.
The foodbank, which has nine outlets, said it had avoided a national decline that began last year because of the cost-of-living crisis, but had seen a drop in 2026.
Across the country, donations fell by 12 per cent in 2025 but North Bristol & South Gloucestershire handed out 15,045 parcels, 58 per cent above 2019 levels.
Increasingly, it has had to buy stocks to give out to people in need, because not enough has been donated to meet demand.
Ellen Wood, the foodbank’s CEO, said: “Every week I see what it takes to keep nine outlets stocked, and this year that’s meant reaching into our own funds more than ever before.
“Last year we had to buy one in every four items we gave out, because donations alone weren’t enough. That’s money that should be funding advice services and support, going instead into holding our own stock together. This community has shown up for us again and again, and I believe it will again. Harvest and Christmas take care of themselves, but it’s spring and summer, right now, when donations dry up.”
The items needed, in order of urgency, are: tinned fruit, desserts (not chilled), fruit juices and squashes, cereals, UHT milk, tinned tomatoes and cooking sauces, laundry detergent (small boxes), washing-up liquid, shampoo and conditioner, baby food (not formula), tinned halal meat.
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones backed the appeal after the visiting the foodbank this summer.
He said: “The volunteers are doing incredible work. Right now, donations are running low. If you’re able to, please consider adding an extra item to your shop and donating it at your local supermarket collection point.”
Every donation makes a difference. Members of the public can help in three ways:
• dropping items at a collection point at a local supermarket or at the foodbank’s office, all locations listed at nbsg.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/#locations;
• ordering directly from an online shop that delivers straight to the warehouse, at nbsg.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/shop-online/;
• donating money at nbsg.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/.