Walking into a food bank for the first time can feel like swallowing your pride in one giant gulp.

There’s this idea that food banks are for ‘other people’ — people who’ve messed up, people who haven’t tried hard enough, people who don’t manage their money. But that’s not the truth. The truth is that food banks are full of working, parents, disabled adults, care leavers, older people, students, carers — people like you and me who hit a wall, usually through no fault of their own.

We’ve all seen the cost of everything rise. Bills. Rent. Food. Fuel. And if you’re already stretched — maybe waiting on a benefit decision, managing long-term illness, or raising kids alone — there’s nothing left to cut. Sometimes, you just run out of options.

That’s where food banks come in. But they’re not easy to turn to. You might feel embarrassed, judged, or like you’ve failed. Please know this: you haven’t. You’re doing your best to survive in a system that isn’t always fair.

Here in Coventry, we’ve seen an increase in people needing emergency food parcels, especially families and people with long-term health conditions. Many are referred through schools, GPs or support workers, but you can also self-refer or get in touch with us at the Mark Hewitson Foundation for help.

And it’s not just about food.

Often what people really need is a voucher for the supermarket, baby formula, pet food, toiletries, or even just someone to talk to. That’s why we offer Lifestyle gift cards that can be used for food, clothes, and household essentials — because dignity matters. So does choice.

There are also alternatives to traditional food banks. In Coventry, you can try:

• Baby Godiva – baby items and support for new parents 
• Foleshill Community Fridge – Social Supermarket – free surplus food for anyone 
• St Francis Employability Café – free meals and career help 
• Salvation Army – food parcels and emergency support 
• Household Support Fund – through the council 
• Mark Hewitson Foundation – Lifestyle cards and signposting 

If this is you right now — if the cupboards are bare, if you’re skipping meals so your child can eat — please know you are not alone.

Needing help doesn’t make you weak. Asking for help shows strength.

You deserve to be supported with dignity, without shame, and with real understanding. We see you. And we’re here x

Here’s a list of UK-based apps and platforms that help reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food. These can be used by individuals, families, and community organisations.

The Trussell Trust – Find your nearest food bank.
 🌐 trusselltrust.org