In a country as wealthy as the UK, it’s horrifying that so many families are forced to rely on food banks to meet their most basic needs. Yet, food banks are an essential lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people.
In 2023-24 food banks in the UK distributed over 3.1 million emergency food parcels, the highest number on record. Alarmingly, more than 1.1 million of these parcels were for children, highlighting the increasing reliance on food banks as more families struggle to cover basic living costs. These numbers represent a 94% increase compared to 5 years ago and underscore the urgent need for systemic change to address poverty and food insecurity.
Many food banks are also in need of support as demand has grown exponentially - with volunteers with financial skills in particular need to help with increased operational activities, new funding requirements and proper budgets and financial planning.
At Christmas, the need becomes even more acute. As many of us splurge on Black Friday deals, buy endless gifts for family and friends and prepare to gorge ourselves - others are making impossible choices between heating and eating, or whether to skip another meal so their children don’t have to. For those facing food insecurity, foodbanks aren’t a convenient option; they are often the last resort.
Breaking misconceptions about foodbanks
There’s a harmful misconception that people use foodbanks because of poor financial choices. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Most people who turn to foodbanks do so because of unexpected crises—job loss, illness, or simply the unmanageable pressures of rising living costs. Using a foodbank is not an easy decision; it is a humbling and often reluctant act of necessity.
The critical need for financial skills
Behind the scenes of every food bank is a dedicated network of volunteers ensuring that this vital support system runs smoothly. Among these roles, financial skills are particularly in demand. Food banks rely on skilled individuals to manage budgets, track resources, plan for future demand, and allocate funds effectively. For those with financial expertise, volunteering at a food bank is an opportunity to apply your skills where they are desperately needed and see the immediate impact of your work.
At Charterpath, we are proud to partner with Trussell, a charity supporting over 1,200 food banks across the UK. Volunteering at a food bank can be a great starting point for first-time volunteers, as food bank financials models tend to be relatively straightforward to understand and account for. It is also an amazing way to support your local community and to see first hand the impact you are having. Whether you’re helping a food bank optimise its operations or guiding individuals on budgeting and financial resilience, your efforts directly contribute to alleviating hunger and restoring dignity to those in need.
Alice’s Story: from white van driver to a career volunteer
Volunteering can change lives—not just for the people you help, but for you as well.
My first volunteering experience was at The Passage, a charity providing holistic support for homeless individuals in London, including providing hot food and emergency food parcels. I was driving a van once a week with the Passage's financial controller to pick-up donated food from Marks & Spencer. Once he realised I was a traineed accountant, I was quickly recruited onto the Risk & Audit Committee.
Being involved with the running of The Passage and seeing behind the scenes really opened my eyes to the harsh realities of homelessness, the systemic challenges behind it, and the staggering number of people affected.
I also gained a lot from volunteering for my professional life - having a seat at a board table, learning new skills and mixing with people from different backgrounds and experiences, all with a shared passion. What started as a single act of service became a lifelong mission for me—campaigning for change and continuing to volunteer wherever I can make an impact.
Give the gift of time this Christmas
As we approach Christmas, it’s a sobering reminder that not everyone has the luxury of indulgence. Many people will be struggling to stay warm and feed their families. This festive season, why not give the gift of your time and expertise to a charity in need?
At Charterpath, we make it easy to start your volunteering journey. Check out our volunteer roles with Trussell and other partners, and explore resources like our interview with Trussell about volunteering at a food bank to help you get started.
Together, we can make a real difference—one meal, one family, one community at a time.
Visit Charterpath.org.uk to find out how you can get involved today.
About Charterpath
Charterpath CIO is a UK registered charity (1207509) on a mission to chart a path between non-profits and volunteers with financial skills. Charterpath was co-founded by Alice Clementi and Alex Marsh, both chartered accountants with extensive volunteering and fundraising experience alongside their professional careers. They were inspired to start Charterpath in 2020, after seeing first-hand the unprecedented financial challenges facing the non-profit sector from the pandemic.
Inspired to support our mission? Follow Charterpath on LinkedIn and join our community at www.charterpath.org.uk to access our newsletter, exclusive events and volunteer roles!