Weardale Food Bank in Stanhope growing as need increases
THE weekly Food Bank, operated out of St Thomas Church Hall in Stanhope is growing as the need
among Dalefolk increases.
The bank, founded in 2018 by Jo Hayes from Westgate and Liz Curry from Eastgate, now has regular
volunteers, including the indefatigable Anne Hodgson and Diane Burrell. In 2024, almost one
thousand food bags were made up and distributed weekly – 52 weeks of the year. Around 20 bags a
week are delivered, from Lanehead to Stanhope, Rookhope and from Stanhope to Tow Law. In
addition, around a dozen bags were collected from the sheds at Stanhope – the HQ of the Food
Bank.
And why does Weardale need a food bank? Jo explained that food and fuel poverty go hand-in-
hand and many people who have not struggled before are finding it hard as the cost of living
continues to increase. Fuel and heating the home is a priority with food coming in second – and
sometimes, there is no money left in the household budget for even the basics.
Emergency food bags are also kept in the nearby Police station for use whenever needed.
Emergency support can be given at any time by any person or agency and last year, it happened
eight times. Referrals are made by the Police, the local schools, the churches or made directly to the
volunteers.
Anyone who calls in, is given a food bag with no questions asked. “We are of the opinion that if a
person comes for help or food, we will give it. No forms to fill in, no questions – we are here to help.
It’s what we do,” said Mrs Hayes. “We continue to maintain our policy of independence,
confidentiality and the utmost of care and understanding. We do not judge in respect of the
circumstances or lifestyle of people.”
Indeed their philosophy is as their notice says: ‘If you need some food, contact us or call in and see
us at the ‘sheds’ St Thomas Church Hall’.
The Food Bank is open every Tuesday from 12 noon and is able to operate thanks to many kind
donations both of food and money. The volunteers are specifically thankful to the Fowler’s Trust and
the Vineyard Church, both of which gave substantial donations last year. Food donations have been
gratefully received from Wolsingham School, St John’s Chapel School, Stanhope Methodist Chapel,
Cowshill Village Hall, the three Co-ops in the Dale and Tesco supermarket.
Cash donations are received regularly as are food donations from local people.
“We thank each and every one who has either made donations or helped in any way,” added Mrs
Hayes. These include the team of volunteers who arrive every week to fill the bags, stack the shelves
and any other jobs that invariably need doing. There are collection points throughout the Dale,
including the Co-op stores, Bondisle Garage and at 3 West Haswicks in Westgate.
Cash donations are used to buy fresh fruit every month, which is in addition to the food bag. This
fruit is also used at the Toddler Group that precedes the Food Bank on Tuesdays in the church hall.
This helps the families who are struggling but don’t feel comfortable coming to the Food Bank.
Families can take a bag of food and fresh fruit as well as a substantial snack or breakfast provided at
the weekly session. This way, the Food Bank and Toddler Group work together.
The Toddler Group meets inside the church hall every Tuesday between 9am and 11:30am with
most of the same volunteers as the food bank plus others, including Sarah Stanscliffe, Christine
Wilsher and Russell Hodgson – the latter who attends near the end to help tidy and put away the
toys and furniture.
In addition to food, the need is also aided by Diane Burrell’s ‘Close Knit Community’ project that
operates in the Upper Dale. The group of knitters provide the Food Bank with blankets so that every
new person or family coming to the food bank can also have a blanket, which is very much
appreciated.
Diane explained that the Close Knit Community group has members who knit or crochet squares,
which are then sewn together to make the blankets. A lot of love and care is sewn into them for folk
in need. The wool for the blankets is funded with donations from Believe Housing and the Weardale
AAP.
Jo Hayes said, “Thank you to every one who has helped us and continues to help us to help others
in need. We had another good year last year, which has enabled us to maintain the smooth running
of the Weardale Food Bank.”
