The cost-of-living crisis has been hitting families hard and, with people struggling to afford energy and food, demand for food banks is rising.

This article is your guide to the food banks and affordable food available to those in need in Stevenage and across North Herts, including Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock.

Stevenage

Vineyard Church, SG1 2NB

Vineyard Church's Foodshed is open to anyone in Stevenage and the surrounding villages who has been referred to them by a charity, school or organisation.

You can contact them or Citizens Advice for help with a referral.

They hold a drop-in session every Wednesday at the Vineyard Centre, in the industrial estate, for those who have been referred to collect their food bags.

Feed Up Warm Up, SG2 8RH

Feed Up Warm Up offers guests a hot meal every Monday evening, with toiletries and clothes also available to be picked up.

They're open from 4pm to 7pm on Monday in the North Stand at Stevenage FC.

Food Rescue Hub, SG2 9XR

Food Rescue Hub is an initiative that aims to reduce food waste. Adults can collect two bags of food on Saturdays between 9.30am and 11am. However, there is a minimum suggested donation of £5.

Its Stevenage location is at the Old Red Lion pub on Hydean Way.

Porch Pantry, SG1 1XX

The Porch Pantry provides free food and essentials to people in need. Their items can be collected between 8.30am and midday on Tuesdays, between midday and 3pm on Thursdays, and between 3pm and 6pm on Fridays.

It is located in the porch at St Andrew & St George Stevenage, next to the town centre.

Hitchin

Food Rescue Hub, SG4 9TZ

As with the Stevenage hub, adults can collect two bags of food on Thursdays, between 9.30am and 11am. There is a minimum suggested donation of £5, however.

Their Hitchin location is the Half Moon pub in Queen Street.

Trussell Trust Foodbank, SG5 1QS

The Trussell Trust Foodbank's Hitchin location is open on Tuesday and Friday between 10am and midday. It's in the Scout Hut at Our Lady Immaculate Church on Nightingale Road.

To access their supplies, you need a voucher issued by local agencies. If you don't already have one, you can call or email the foodbank so they can put you in touch with an agency.

Hitchin Pantry, SG5 1QS

Local residents can become members of the pantry for a weekly subscription of £4.

In return, they will be able to buy food, including fresh fruit and vegetables as well as tinned food, to the value of £15 or more.

It's located at the Scout Hut at Our Lady Immaculate Church on Nightingale Road, and is open Friday 2pm-4pm and Saturday 1pm-3pm.

Feed Up Warm Up, SG5 1QS

Feed Up Warm Up offers guests a hot meal from 6pm to 8pm every Wednesday, with toiletries and clothes also available to be picked up.

They're located at Our Lady Immaculate Church on Nightingale Road.

Letchworth

Trussell Trust Foodbank, SG6 1NX

The Trussell Trust Foodbank's Letchworth location is open on Tuesday and Friday between 10am and midday. It's in Mrs Howard Memorial Hall on Norton Way.

To access their supplies, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies.

If you don't already have one, you can call or email the foodbank so they can put you in touch with an agency.

Best Before Café, SG6 3DN

Bags of bread are free at the Best Before Café, with bags of fruit, vegetables and other items having a minimum donation of £2.

They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm, and Tuesday evening from 4.45pm to 5.30pm.

Their takeaway service on Thursday runs from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

Other areas

Trussell Trust Foodbank, Baldock - SG7 5AE

The Trussell Trust Foodbank's Baldock location is open on Tuesday and Friday between 10am and midday. It's in St Mary's Church Hall on Church Street.

To access their supplies, you need a voucher issued by local agencies.

If you don't already have one, you can call or email the foodbank so they can put you in touch with an agency.

Royston Food Bank, Royston - SG8 5HJ

This food bank is located at Royston Evangelical Church, and open 9am-11am on Wednesday and Saturday.

Codicote Food Bank, Codicote - SG4 8UA

Codicote Food Bank serves Codicote, Welwyn, Knebworth and the surrounding villages and areas.

They are open 6pm-7pm on Wednesday at 119 High Street, Codicote.

Ickleford Community Larder, Ickleford - SG5 3YJ

Ickleford Community Larder provides basics from 2pm-3.30pm on Sunday at St Katharine's Church on Church Path.