The County Durham Foodbank is starting a new donation drive on February 18, 2026, to help people in crisis across County Durham. The Give in Lent campaign asks residents to donate one item every day for 40 days to make sure local families have enough to eat during the spring.
Organised by the Durham Christian Partnership (DCP), the appeal aims to refill food stocks that often run low after the winter months. Even though holiday giving is high, Durham Christian Partnership says the need for help remains high as heating and food costs continue to affect local households.
Residents can take part by adding a non-perishable item to a box each day, such as tinned meat, long-life juice, or toiletries. These boxes can then be dropped off at one of more than 30 collection points across the county, including sites in Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Newton Aycliffe.
Recent figures from the Trussell Trust network show that the North East still has some of the highest rates of foodbank use in the country. This drive will run until April 2, 2026, to support the charity’s ongoing work providing emergency parcels and debt advice to those in need.
Major local landmarks like Durham Cathedral will also serve as collection points for the appeal. A report from Durham University examining drivers of foodbank use has previously highlighted how poverty, housing and employment can push local people — including some students — to rely on emergency food aid when they cannot make ends meet.
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