UPDATE - Okehampton Food bank moves to new home

A letter received by The Moorlander earlier this week was published to the website. However, The Moorlander has now gained further information and would like to apologise for any upset or inaccuracies; our intention was simply to inform the citizens of Okehampton that there would still be Food Bank provision and allay any concerns that those in need would be left without this incredibly important service.

The Deacons of the Baptist Church have written to us to explain the situation.  

They explain that the food bank has been running a considerable deficit for the last 18 months, in part to the cost of living crisis, and there were  compliance issues which could not be overcome. Prior to closure, and in preparation of looking to provide an alternative solution, the Church communicated with Okehampton Community Kitchen, a similar food poverty organisation who were in the process of setting up their own Food bank and reassured the Deacons that no one in the town would go without. 

A meeting was held on 4th July, where the closure, and reasons for such, was discussed. The existing group expressed a desire to establish their own independent food bank, and provided a statement to the Church which was discussed at a church meeting on 17th July, alongside the option to support Okehampton Community Kitchen. The Church members present voted unanimously in favour, to transfer the remaining assets to Community Kitchen.

The letter from lead volunteer Paul Wilson stated: "I am writing to calm the hearsay and concern over the recent events surrounding food security in Okehampton and to inform you that the Okehampton Food Bank is not closing.

"The Food Bank has been in existence since 2008. For all these 16 years it has been an important part of food security in and around Okehampton.

"The 14 volunteers decided to set up an independent Food Bank as soon as possible and this is now in hand, in order to continue the work of this vital organisation. We now have new premises at the Ockment Centre, North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR and a new bank account with Lloyds Bank. The Okehampton Food Bank Account Number 53504463 sort code 309950. So, from a necessarily very low base we are first opening on Wednesday 31st July 2024 between 10 am and 12 noon.

"In the meantime the volunteers are most grateful to the residents and organisations in and around Okehampton for the ongoing support. Hopefully with this in mind a stronger and more resilient Food Bank will rise from the ashes!"

The opinions expressed in this letter are solely those of the author and not those of The Moorlander or Clear Sky Publishing Ltd.