Families turn to charity to meet cost of Christmas as 65% worry about cost of festive food

A members' survey by Bread and Butter found 94% said money is tight this winter - and 62% were concerned with having to choose between food and presents

A food club charity has found 65% of their members are worried about not being able to afford enough food over Christmas.

A members' survey by Bread and Butter found 94% said money is tight this winter.

And 62% were concerned with having to choose between food and presents.

The Manchester-based food distribution charity, which works in 130 locations across 27 local authorities in England, will be keeping its doors open over Christmas - and are encouraging people to use their affordable food clubs over the festive period

Last year, the charity rescued over 951 tonnes of surplus food throughout December to redistribute to their communities.

The team will be on call 24/7 again this year, working closely with their network of retailers, manufacturers and hauliers to intercept as much as possible for their 100,000 members as quickly as they can for the freshest offerings.

Bread and Butter delivers healthy low-cost food to communities every week, sourced directly from manufacturers and retailers including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Cranswick, Brakes, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.

Members pay £5 for a single bag, £8.50 for a three-bag family package or £17 for a large family package of six bags.

Vic Harper, Bread and Butter’s Chief Executive said: ”Whilst this insight is tough to hear, our food clubs are always the epitome of Christmas cheer. Warm welcomes, big smiles, a generosity of spirit that is second to none and the odd mince pie.

“We see it year after year that no matter what challenges they’re dealing with, our members choose to look on the bright side of Christmas. Imagine as a parent, having to choose between food or presents for your children And that’s why we work as hard as do. Whilst others may hibernate for the holidays, our members need us more than ever.”

Ms Harper added: ”Another tough choice many are facing is eating or heating. A choice that no one should have to make, especially those with children and or pensioners. But the stories of ingenuity, resilience and downright wiliness that we hear so often are just heart-warming.”

Manchester support worker and mum, Julcine, 27, is raising twin boys, 2, in specialist temporary accommodation for homeless families. Despite this, she’s very excited for Christmas, “The past year has been really difficult. The boys are growing so quickly, they’re always hungry and constantly need new clothes and shoes.

"The past few Christmases have been tough but now that I’ve found Bread and Butter, I don’t have to choose between spending money on food or presents, I can afford both.

"I feel so much better knowing I can make a proper Christmas dinner and make it a really special time for my little family.”

Grandmother, Gill Taylor, 61, lives with her little dog Jesse, in a ground floor flat in Salford. Gill hasn’t had the ‘Big Light’ on for years and has swapped all her lamps for LED candles to reduce her energy bills.

But she’s not stopped there. Gill got rid of her full oven and now just uses a tabletop oven, an air fryer and an egg boiler to batch cook her Bread and Butter shop to feed herself and her elderly parents.

She’s even added a cistern bag to her toilet to reduce water wastage and only allows herself six minute showers and mop water goes on the plants.

Despite this strict regime, Gill is looking forward to Christmas, “I always share my Bread and Butter bags with my parents, it helps so much all year round but especially at Christmas as it’s so expensive.

“This year, it will just be me, my parents and granddaughter and we all chip in with cooking and let our hair down a little. You have to make the best of it don’t you?”

Lesley Ann Dixon, 59, is a Sunderland grandmother of eight and been relying on Bread and Butter for the past two years so she can afford her other household bills. “I can suffer from bad anxiety and being introduced to Bread and Butter, and volunteering there as well has honestly changed my life. It’s made a real difference to me because the money I save on food, I can put towards gas and electric so I can keep my house warm over Christmas for my family. I have eight grandchildren and I always host Christmas Eve.

“I love getting everyone together and giving them homemade presents. I never want to see my children go without so I have always tried my best to make sure they haven’t.”