Rising Need Spurs Opening of New Food Bank

A new food bank has opened in Jersey to respond to the growing number of islanders struggling to make ends meet.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has launched a click-and-collect service at St Peter’s Church, where people can register during an event on Monday between 12:00 and 15:00. Once registered, users will be able to order items online and collect them every Friday between 12:00 and 13:00.

Reverend Robert Harris, rector of St Peter’s, said the initiative would be a lifeline for people in the western parishes, where requests for help have been rising.

“Jersey may look prosperous from the outside, but hidden poverty is a reality,” he said. “Families can be hit by job losses, high rents, or other pressures that leave them struggling.”

The Society of St Vincent de Paul supports more than 1,800 people in Jersey each year and described the new facility as the first step in expanding its services across the island.

The charity already runs a food bank at St Thomas’ Church Hall, where collections are available every Wednesday and Saturday. It says demand has risen steadily since the Covid pandemic, leaving more households dependent on food assistance.

“This new service offers a straightforward and flexible way for people to access food, baby supplies, and hygiene products close to home,” the society said.