COVENTRY Foodbank has issued an urgent warning – ‘donate food now or fewer people will be fed.’
The appeal comes in the hope the charity can prevent radical measures as stocks reach one of the lowest levels in its 15-year history.
Empty shelves at the Halo Centre warehouse in Binley desperately need replenishing, with a particular need for non-perishable items.
In May, 11 tonnes of food went out of the warehouse compared to six tonnes of food coming in, leaving a five tonne deficit which equates to around 900 people.
Foodbank founder Canon Gavin Kibble, said: “We have faced shortages before, but right now we are facing one of the most serious shortages we have ever experienced.
“Since late last year almost twice as much food has been going out of our warehouse as has been coming in, and that is simply not sustainable. We are down to our last 20 pallets, and we are missing a huge number of the individual items that make up a balanced food parcel.
“If things carry on as they are, we will have no choice but to reduce the number of people we feed each month.
“We know times are hard for everyone, but we are appealing directly to the people of Coventry – if you can spare even one or two items from your weekly shop, it will make a real difference. This city has always stepped up when its neighbours needed help, and we need that generosity now more than ever.”
“The foodbank is asking for donations of long-life, non-perishable items in particular. Every tin, every packet, every donation counts. Nobody in Coventry should have to go hungry, and with the public’s help, nobody will.”
Over the past 15 years the foodbank has worked in partnership with local churches, schools, businesses, and referral agencies to provide emergency food parcels and compassionate support to those in crisis.
Foodbank-users bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three to five days’ of emergency food.
Last year over 22,000 people in Coventry needed to use a foodbank. Over 250,000 people have received food from the Foodbank in the 15 years since it was founded.
In 2025 more than 167 tonnes of food was donated and 180 tonnes given out, feeding 14,600 adults and 7,600 children.
Visit coventry.foodbank.org.uk to find out more about the foodbank and how donate or fundraise.
* There are still spaces left for the Foodbank’s Charity Abseil down Coventry Cathedral on August 1.
Those taking part in the abseil must be over 16 and weigh less than 19 stone and commit to raising a minimum £200 for the charity through sponsorship.
As well as the abseil, Coventry Foodbank will have an activity tent set up in the Old Cathedral grounds.
To register and interest click here
