Families First Charity Struggles to Meet Demand Amid Food Poverty Crisis

By James Murray-Hodcroft

11th September 2025

Watch our full report on Families First; the Newcastle charity turning supermarket surplus into lifelines for struggling families. Discover how their £2.50 food bags work, why demand is soaring, and why they urgently need volunteers

A Newcastle charity tackling food waste and food poverty says Soaring Demand is stretching its small team to breaking point.

Families First, based at Brunswick Industrial Estate, collects surplus food from major retailers including M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and even Nando’s. Founder Amanda Boyce says M&S is by far their largest contributor, with donations arriving several times a week.

The charity partners with the UK intermediary Neighbourly, which links businesses to local causes. By joining the scheme, retailers cut waste, avoid costly specialist disposal services, and ensure food that is often still safe to eat reaches those who need it most.

Unlike traditional foodbanks, Families First requires no GP Referral. It also caters to all dietary needs, from cultural and religious requirements to personal preferences. Customers can pay £2.50 for a bag and fill it with food; every penny going back into the charity.

But demand is rising fast. Boyce, who often works from 8am to 11pm, says:

I’m so worried that we won’t be able to get what people need out to them, it keeps me awake at night.”

The charity urgently needs volunteers, even offering food parcels in exchange for a couple of hours’ help each week.

Watch the full video today.