It has rained everyday of 2026 so far and Grace Foodbank has noticed the impact of the weather on their organisation.
The Sheffield-based foodbank has been trying to tackle the poor weather in order to remain open for those in the area who need them most.
Jackie Butcher, the manager of the foodbank said: “We are seeing lots of people who are making that really stark choice between heating and eating.”
She said that people’s houses are damp due to the rainfall and therefore they are having to turn the heat up to prevent the damp from worsening, leaving them with less money to spend on food.
There is a demand in the foodbank for food that requires minimal cooking as people do not have the money to spend on fuel.
Pressure on Grace Foodbank has grown during this prolonged period of bad weather.
Ms Butcher said: “We are feeding probably an extra 10 families a week so between 20 to 40 people depending on family size.”
Butcher pointed out that although donations have been down at the moment the weather may not be the only cause of this.
She suggested the cost of living crisis, food bank fatigue, or post-Christmas budget tightening as other potential causes.
The foodbank’s building has been leaking and volunteers have had to be spending their time moving buckets around to catch the water.
This is taking up the volunteers time, having to go into the foodbank on the weekend.
This comes at a very critical time for Grace foodbank who have been forced to relocate by the council after the church building they currently reside in is being closed due to a decreasing congregation.
They are trying to give those who need it enough food for the week that they are due to be shut but currently don’t have the resources.
The foodbank is relocating and will be shutting its doors at 5pm tonight for a week before they open again on the 23rd February just down the road.
Grace foodbank still intends to support the people who rely on it.