Abbey People has launched a £40,000 fundraising appeal for its Food Hub, warning that falling charity funding and an increasingly unreliable supply of food donations are putting pressure on its ability to continue supporting local residents.
Abbey People, which runs Barnwell Basket, is seeking to build a base of regular monthly donors to help cover the core costs of operating the service and to support its longer-term ambition of creating a community shop that everyone can afford.
The appeal comes as charities across the UK face sustained financial challenges. Government grant funding has fallen by around £1 billion a year in real terms, while more flexible funding that organisations rely on to cover day-to-day costs has reduced significantly in recent years. At the same time, public donations are declining, with the total amount donated falling by an estimated £1.4 billion in 2025, dropping from around £15.4 billion in 2024 to £14 billion. Only around 55% of adults donated to charity last year, the lowest level since tracking began, representing roughly six million fewer donors than a decade ago. Food support providers are also dealing with rising demand and an inconsistent supply of surplus food, with only a small proportion of edible surplus reaching communities.
Abbey Food Hub, now known as Barnwell Basket, which opened in March 2020, provides access to free surplus food alongside low-cost groceries and household essentials, as well as signposting to wider support. Open three times a week, it has become an established part of the local community, supporting residents not only with food but also with connection and advice.
“It’s incredibly helpful to know that I can always get food at the hub, and one less thing to worry about,” said one resident. Another described it as “a lifeline”, adding: “I think we all know how difficult and expensive life has become. The food hub can really save you in times of need.”
Findings from Abbey People’s 2026 survey suggest the service is having a significant impact. Around 86 per cent of users said they are eating more fruit and vegetables, while 68 per cent reported a more balanced diet. More than three quarters said they would struggle to afford food without the hub, and 80 per cent said it had helped them to meet more people locally.
Nicky Shepard, CEO of Abbey People, said: “The challenge now is maintaining that level of support in a changing funding environment. Since July, more than 1,500 food baskets have been distributed, with over half provided below the cost of sourcing them. While surplus food continues to play a role, it is not a consistent supply, meaning additional food often needs to be purchased to meet demand.”
Abbey People said it is increasingly reliant on regular donations to keep the service running and to ensure food remains affordable for those who need it.
“This is about long-term sustainability,” Rachel Karniely, Food Hub Coordinator, said. “Barnwell Basket is a valued community asset, and we want to make sure it continues to be there for people now and in the future.”
The organisation is encouraging residents and businesses to become “Basket Boosters” by committing to a monthly contribution, helping to fund staffing, premises and food costs. It is also inviting support through volunteering, food donations and community fundraising.
The longer-term aim is to develop Barnwell Basket into a community shop where all residents can access nutritious food that is good for both people and the planet.
Abbey People is framing the appeal around a simple question: what if everyone in the community had access to nourishing food?
To keep this valued community asset running and to keep progressing towards this vision, we need your help. We’re raising £40,000 to keep our vision going, that’s 130 people giving £25 a month. Please click the button below to donate.
