A local charity in Ipswich, Suffolk, now delivers more than 5,000 emergency food parcels every year as demand for help continues to rise. In an update on February 12, 2026, the group confirmed it has reached this milestone while operating a six-day-a-week service for the community.
Families in Need, which is also known as FIND, uses a team of more than 80 volunteers to manage the daily work at its distribution centre on Hines Road. The charity provides food, personal care items, and household goods to people living within a 35-mile radius of the town.
The service works through a referral system, which means people who need help must be put forward by an official group such as a doctor, school, or social worker. Records from the Charity Commission show the organisation has grown to meet the persistent demand for emergency aid.
Maureen Reynel MBE, the founder and chair of the charity, said that the demand for food parcels has risen every year. Beyond providing food, the charity also helps families with specific items they cannot afford, such as school uniforms, new beds, and equipment for school trips.
The high volume of parcels highlights the constant pressure on local charity resources. Residents can support the project by donating food items or signing up as a volunteer to help manage the distribution hub near the Gainsborough Sports Centre.
