When Crisis Calls, Community Answers
At Lincoln Foodbank, we’ve always believed in the power of community. But in recent weeks, we witnessed something truly extraordinary.
For the first time in our recent history, our shelves were dangerously bare. Stock levels dropped to a critical low, with essential items like tinned meat, long-life milk, pasta sauce, and cereal running out faster than we could replenish them. With more people than ever turning to us for support amid the cost-of-living crisis, we were facing an urgent challenge: how do we continue to serve those in need when our resources are running out?
In a truly heartfelt appeal, we asked our community for help — and the response left us humbled and inspired.
Our emergency call for food and financial donations went out to the public through emails, social media, local news, and word of mouth. We explained the gravity of the situation: without immediate support, we would be unable to provide food parcels to families and individuals in crisis across Lincoln. This was an unprecedented step for us, and we weren’t sure what to expect.
What happened next was nothing short of incredible. Within hours, we began to receive calls, messages, and visits from people asking how they could help. Donations started to pour in from individuals, schools, businesses, churches, charities, and community groups across the city. Some gave bags of food, others gave money, and many shared our appeal far and wide.
Local businesses held collection drives and matched staff donations. Schools encouraged students and parents to bring in essential food items. Churches and charities worked together to organise drop-off points and spread the word. Families, pensioners, students, and young children brought what they could — from a couple of tins to full shopping bags — each donation a lifeline for someone in need. And as the days passed, our shelves began to slowly fill again.
Alongside the tins, cartons, and packets came messages of support, prayers, smiles, and countless stories of people who simply wanted to help others. Many of those who donated had once received help themselves — a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of compassion. Financial donations also poured in, enabling us to purchase key items in bulk and keep our warehouse stocked for the coming weeks. Every pound given, every tin donated, every effort made — it mattered.
To every person, group, and organisation who responded to our appeal: thank you. Your kindness has ensured that no one who comes to us in crisis will go hungry. In a time when things felt uncertain and overwhelming, your generosity restored hope — not just for us, but for the hundreds of people who rely on Lincoln Foodbank every month.
We still face challenges. Demand continues to rise, and donations remain vital. But this experience has shown us that we are not alone — and that Lincoln is a city that steps up when it matters most.
Want to help?
You can continue to support our work by:
- Donating food at our collection points across Lincoln
- Giving financially: https://actstrust.enthuse.com/page30b2b#!/
- Sharing our updates to raise awareness
- Volunteering your time to help sort, pack, or distribute food
Together, we can keep hunger at bay and hope alive.
Thank you for standing with us.
