A FOOD BANK-style scheme in Wokingham is restricting the amount people can take away.
SHARE Wokingham, which has nine sites across the borough, has implemented a one bag per household limit as demand for its services remains high.
Visitors will be asked to use a standard shopping bag rather than filling a trolley or large bag for life.
Claire Revie, founder of SHARE Wokingham, said: “We have a lot of stock and we are just trying to be as fair as possible to everyone.
“We don’t get the same amount of items as we do for others.
“For example we get plenty of potatoes but maybe only one or two watermelons, so we want to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity.
“It’s about fairness more than anything.”
Bread, flowers, plants and hygiene products are in addition to the one bag allowance and people are welcome to return at the end of the session and take more if there is anything left.
The community project was set up as a consequence of Covid-19 and is aimed at supporting those in need with fresh produce and other items which would ordinarily be wasted.
“We aren’t there to be the main weekly shop, ideally we are only a top up for some items,” said Ms Revie.
“We also have nine sites to supply so we have to ensure each site is looked after.”
Ms Revie feels the restriction is necessary to stop people taking advantage of the scheme.
She said: “We have had people go to multiple sites in the same day on some occasions which makes you question if they really need the service.
“It would be great if everyone could just take what they need.
“Most people are very understanding of why we have taken the decision.”
Ms Revie said the demand for SHARE’s services is plateauing, but remains high with 100 people using the Norreys site on Monday last week.
She said many residents are fearful of what the colder months could bring as inflation rises and the new energy price cap comes into force from October.
Industry experts, Cornwall Insight, are expecting the energy price cap to rise to £3,582 a year.
A further increase in January is predicted to exceed £4,200.
The higher estimate means the average household would be paying £355 a month, more than double the current cost of £164.
Ms Revie said: “We did a survey last week and, across the board, people are very worried about the winter with energy bills rising.
“We also asked if a place to charge a phone or stay warm for a few hours would be helpful and the resounding answer was yes.
“People are very concerned about what the colder months could bring.”
