A Newquay charity that aims to tackle food crisis has been served up a welcome £98,000 grant.

Newquay Foodbank, based at St Michael’s Church, is expecting to help more local people access the support and advice they need during the cost of living crisis thanks to the funding from Wales and West Utilities.

Newquay Foodbank is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people needing support in receiving essential food. They expect to give out more than 4,500 food parcels.

But operators of the charity say some people’s issues can’t always be addressed while they’re actually at the food bank.

So the funding from Wales and West Utilities will allow Newquay Foodbank to refer clients to Hope 4U for help with energy saving, access to schemes to reduce utility costs, budgeting advice, and carbon monoxide safety tips and other help.

£10,000 will also be utilised directly by Newquay Foodbank to help with increased running costs, including gas and electricity bills, food, storage, volunteer expenses and salaries.

Debbie Waller, the operations manager for Newquay Foodbank, said: “The primary reason for people accessing the food bank over the last 12 months is due to low income and budgeting but with the increase in fuel and living costs, the numbers are expected to rise.

“Our food bank hubs provide our volunteers with an ideal opportunity to speak to people about their individual circumstances, in a non-judgemental way, and to gather and give out information to help more and more people locally.

“We are delighted that Wales and West Utilities has supported our partnership with Hope4U to ensure our local people understand help is out there.”

Gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales and West Utilities has provided the funding as part of its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA).

Luke Arnold, the director of

Hope4U, said: “We know more people are accessing food bank services and struggling to afford the increasing fuel costs. By working together, we are able to directly identify and support people with essential information.

“There is a vast amount of advice and signposting available and our priority is to help as many people locally as possible.”

Tom Robinson, the social obligations specialist at Wales and West Utilities, said: “We’re happy that this funding will help hundreds of families and individuals across the Newquay area.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to support those most in need.

“Working with trusted partners like Hope4U and Newquay Foodbank means we can help more people stay safe in their own homes.”

Wales and West Utilities brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west and Wales.