St Paul's Charity, the long-standing Crewe-based relief organisation, has declared an emergency and launched a community appeal after reporting a dramatic rise in demand for its services across Cheshire East.
Soaring need and shrinking donations
The charity says measurable need has risen by 156% across Cheshire East, while the flow of public donations has dwindled. In response, St Paul's yesterday unveiled a new campaign called "Not On Our Watch", urging local people to commit to a recurring donation of just £2 a month to stabilise provision for those relying on the food bank.
St Paul's has operated in Crewe since 1986. The charity warns that one in three children in Cheshire East are going to school hungry and that 76% of children living in poverty have parents who are in work. These figures underline how closely tied food insecurity now is to household budgets and the local labour market.
"Mums and dads are trying their best to make ends meet, and yet they are still coming up short,"
said CEO Jez Chalmers, making the case for small regular gifts that together could form a substantial safety net.
How the campaign will work
St Paul's is pitching the £2 pledge as an affordable, recurring commitment — described by the charity as "less than the cost of a cup of coffee or a bus fare" — designed to be manageable for many households while delivering dependable income for front-line services.
- Recurring donations: asking residents to commit to £2 per month.
- Business partnerships: appeals to local firms to help with advertising or payroll promotion.
- Digital upgrades: the charity has updated its online payment system to make giving easier.
Local firms have already begun to respond. Breakfast cereal maker Mornflake has made an initial contribution of £500, and St Paul's is looking for more corporate partners to cover essential promotional costs and to raise awareness among employees.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Increase in measurable need | 156% |
| Children in Cheshire East going to school hungry | 1 in 3 |
| Children in poverty with working parents | 76% |
| Suggested monthly donation | £2 |
| Initial business pledge (Mornflake) | £500 |
More than food: wider community support
The charity is not only expanding food provision. It has also increased operating days for its furniture sale in Hightown, a reuse scheme that aims to keep usable items out of landfill while offering affordable goods. Vans now collect unwanted items every day, and the charity stresses that all proceeds from the furniture sale feed back into community work.
St Paul's have also invested in their digital systems and online payments to simplify regular giving, recognising that steady income is vital when demand is unpredictable. The organisation says that small, regular amounts pooled across a community can transform capacity — a point the CEO made plainly: "A community-wide crisis requires a community-wide response."
What this means for Crewe
For residents, the immediate ask is simple: consider a modest monthly pledge or look at supporting the furniture sale. For local businesses, there is a clear call to step up — whether by matching employee donations, helping promote the scheme internally, or underwriting advertising so the message reaches more households in need.
For a town already seeing the effects of national economic pressure, the charity's message is stark but practical: the problem is local, and so is the solution. A tide of small donations could prevent family hardship this winter and keep services running for those who have no other option.
St Paul's Charity can be contacted via their updated online payment portal for details on regular giving and corporate partnership opportunities.
How to help
- Sign up for the £2 monthly donation via the charity’s website.
- Donate quality furniture to the Hightown sale or buy items there.
- Local employers: consider corporate matching or promotional support.
