I'd like to offer my help

Volunteer with charities which support families during this time.  Register on Volunteer Suffolk to see what opportunities there are near you.

Food banks rely on the goodwill and support of local communities to be able to supply food to those who are struggling to buy it. You can help by offering to volunteer or by making a donation to help them support those who need it. 

The best way to get started is to contact your local food bank directly to see what they need the most.

Suffolk Infolink has a directory of Foodbanks in Suffolk.

Share surplus food with your neighbours rather than throw it away by signing up to Olio, a free food sharing app.  Here you can give away food for free to local people - whether it is groceries from your fridge, foods about to go off or spare home-grown vegetables. This way you can help those who might not have a lot of money for food, whilst also helping the environment by cutting down on your food waste.

Do you have unwanted household items you want to give away for free to someone who needs it in your community?

Online community groups such as FreeCycle and Freegle connect local people who can donate for free - everything from sofas and fridges to baby buggies and DVDs.

There are a number of charities accepting donations to support people with Cost of Living and Winter Pressures.

• Make a donation to support Suffolk Community Foundation's Surviving Winter Appeal, please give online (via just giving), telephone 01473 602602 (during office hours), or visit any branch of Suffolk Building Society to make a payment over the counter.
• Rural Coffee Caravan has launched it's Cooking With Kindness campaign. Donate money to allow slow cookers to be bought and given to those most in need across Suffolk
• You can help people struggling financially by donating £1 per week through the 500 Suffolk Reasons initiative. Once £500 has been raised by members, it will be donated to an individual or family in need to support. Potential recipients are nominated by members.