Essentially, we are a hub that does the hard work of gathering funds and supplies so that others don’t have to. Each group we work with understands the specific needs of the people they help and so we endeavour to assist them in bridging their supply gap. Everyone’s experience of poverty is unique, and it’s important that people receive the support suitable for their needs. At City Hive, we bring together the experiences of food banks in our network and their communities, to challenge the structural issues that lock people in poverty, and campaign to assist local people. Many of the food banks in our network are already providing additional support and building local connections to address the causes of poverty where they find themselves, fighting against its effects and the stigma that is associated with living below the breadline.

With approximately 14 million people in the UK living below the poverty line, our services are in higher demand than ever before. Due to the recent pandemic and rise in living costs, poverty has become an even greater problem, with an increasing number of people having to make the choice between paying essential household bills or putting food on the table.