Food banks in Hadleigh and the surrounding villages are gearing up to deal with a perfect storm of problems about the hit hard up families in the area.

With the £20 up lift of covid allowances being withdrawn from Universal Credit payments, the furlough job retention scheme ceasing in October and the Government decision taken not to support children normally receiving free school meals in next month's half term, food banks across the district are bracing themselves with the expectation that additional support will be needed.

"There is no need for families to be hungry," said Neil J Bevis the founder of Just Food in Hadleigh. "We are ready to help local families who may be struggling at this difficult time.

"The Hadleigh Community Support group are preparing for an uplift in demand and are stocking up their food bank 'Just Food' to cope with potential demand.

"The community of Hadleigh have been brilliant and always pull together to help those in need, we have seen this all through the Pandemic. There are many community spirited individuals who have been really keen to help and support others locally."

The Just Food project commenced at the end of September 2020 and has doubled in size since it started. It collaborates with other local organisations to help local people who need support.

More details here: Hadleigh Just Food Community Support

Other food banks in Hadleigh, Bildeston, Sudbury and Ipswich have facilities to help.

Local authorities, including Babergh and Suffolk County councils also have officer and schemes in place to help residents.