Support from The Bread and Butter Thing Essential for Many
Individuals relying on a discounted food service report they would face significant difficulties feeding themselves without this support.
The Bread and Butter Thing operates 111 hubs nationwide, aiming to make everyday essentials more affordable for those in need.
The Old Leake Community Centre branch, located near Boston, assists approximately 70 households weekly. Members pay £8.50 to receive food valued at around £35.
"If we didn't have it, we probably wouldn't be able to eat,"said Tiegan Parry, 19, a regular user of the service along with her family.
Since opening in February 2023, the Old Leake hub has supported nearly 850 members.
It has distributed about 9,400 shopping sets, which equates to over 291,000 meals.
Each food bag provided by the charity contains fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled items suitable for refrigeration, and pantry staples such as pasta and cereal.
The Bread and Butter Thing receives partial funding from Comic Relief.
Personal Experiences Highlight Impact
Tiegan, from Skegness, has been utilizing the hub for three and a half years.
"We found it when we really needed it the most,"she explained.
"We would really struggle without it."
As a mother to a three-year-old daughter, Tiegan noted that the food bags include a variety of items, some of which she would normally avoid purchasing due to cost.
This service has alleviated financial pressure on her family and allowed them to try products they otherwise would not have considered.
"We worry a lot less because it means that I can feed the little one and not have to worry about it,"she added.
Tiegan's father, Craig Parry, 50, appreciates the social environment at the hub, praising the volunteers as
"brilliant"and
"very helpful."
"It certainly helps financially to be able to do things with my children and grandchildren that I wouldn't be able to without having the bags,"he said.
Community and Environmental Benefits
Gail Seamark, community development delivery officer for The Bread and Butter Thing, described the charity’s role in helping families supplement their shopping.
"I think sometimes people come down even when they may not need to financially and it is a social thing.
They get to chat to people in the queue and we do as well."
Gail, aged 60, mentioned that the charity receives support from food production factories and supermarkets.
She expressed hope that this assistance contributes to reducing the volume of food waste sent to landfill.
Volunteer Cheryl Wray, 77, who has been involved with the hub for about three years, finds satisfaction in knowing that food is not wasted.
"Everybody knows everybody and it's lovely,"she said, highlighting the
"community spirit"that motivates her continued involvement.
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