In the heart of Caernarfon, a lifeline for residents is taking place.

Through acts of passion, need and community service, Porthi Dre has become a beacon of hope for many. 

Who are Porthi Dre?

Based in the historic town of Caernarfon, Porthi Dre, which means feeding the town in Welsh, is an essential organisation that plays a vital role in assisting the local community. They are committed to supplying food and basic household items to those in need, ensuring that no individual or family in their community needs to go without the necessities for a healthy and comfortable life. 

And more importantly the staff at Porthi Dre offer a friend to those who need it most.

Recognising the difficulties faced by many, Porthi Dre has implemented a service that is both affordable and compassionate. They offer sacks of food for only £3, with value higher than the asking price, making access to nutritious food more affordable for those who would otherwise struggle to afford it. Their approach not only provides immediate relief, but also contributes to the community’s larger objective of food security.

The food bank style program, which blossomed in the first lockdown, arose due to the pressing growing needs of the community. Porthi Dre is not just feeding the people of Caernarfon, it is nourishing everything the Caernarfon community stands for, coming together in times of crisis and pulling together in unison to help each other through. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns have had a significant effect on the local community, resulting in a significant increase in the number of individuals who rely on food banks, especially in the UK. Porthi Dre are stepping up to the plate to help solve this.

As a result, a large number of individuals who had never before required food assistance sought help from food banks. Those who were already vulnerable prior to the pandemic, such as the homeless and those living in poverty, confronted even greater challenges, which increased the demand for these services even further. 

Due to the increase in demand, food banks have become a fundamental resource for those who are struggling to cover their basic needs during this difficult time.

With the Universal Credit benefits entitlement being cut short by £20 a week, benefits are now not providing enough to people for life’s necessities. As a result of this, food bank demand has gone through the roof. 

The cost of living is also the highest in the UK for 40 years, meaning people up and down the UK are starting to feel the bite. However, Porthi Dre is offering people a new lifeline.

Porthi Dre is run out of a community hub, working together to provide food and necessities to the residents of Caernarfon. Consumer Rights spoke with Dewi and Anne, who run the project, about the dedicated work they do and how they are coping with soaring demands. 

Today at Porthi Dre, Dewi stated, “Since we started working with the fareshare scheme, the demand went straight through the roof. A lot of people who attend here are social housing tenants. We originally started working out of our shop O Law I Law, 14 Pool Street, Caernarfon, handing out donations of food and small necessities we had. We now run a scheme where we charge people a small fee of £3 minimum charge per bag, to help people feel as though they are contributing, instead of just taking.”

“In doing this, we are hoping to get rid of the stigma around food banks, as we believe everybody is entitled to food and essentials.”

Dewi continued, “The demand for food and clothing has always been high, we started preparing meals in lockdown for people, and it got so busy and the need grew so high we were producing around 970 meals a day.

The first week was around 65 meals, then the numbers just kept going up after that. We never reached the 1000 meal mile, which is what we were trying to break. Things dropped after lockdown, but the demand was very much still there, we felt like people were saying “thankyou for your service but we’re ok for now”, which was why we introduced the £3 per bag scheme, to ensure people felt they were contributing.

Feeding Caernarfon is my top priority. We are in the middle of sorting our own accounts, to allow us to buy in bulk from wholesalers for things such as cereals and tinned food; with our highest demand being non perishables.”

Porthi Dre also acts as a warm hub Monday through Friday 9-5, with various different activities for everyone to enjoy. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Unlike most food banks in the UK, Porthi Dre does not have a qualifying criteria, just the £3 minimum charge, which reimburses the scheme, allowing them to top up and buy fresh food for the next week. 

There is a number system in place, everyone needing food picks a number out of a bag at random, and that is the order to go up and collect your food. In doing this, it ensures that everyone has a fair chance. 

The local Caernarfon councillor, Dewi, also managed to gain access to £9,200 worth of food shopping vouchers, which they planned to distribute in 15 sessions across three weeks. The vouchers were for between £15 to £45, however, demand was so high they only lasted for 1 week and five sessions. This resulted in more than 100 people being turned away. 

Jane was lucky enough to receive the shopping vouchers from the council and a payment of £99 to help towards food costs. She also received the first cost of living payment which she stated has “helped her massively.”

“I received a £100 gas voucher. I would recommend every charity available to anyone struggling, they are there to help not judge. Porthi Dre has been a lifeline for me, I remember the times I had no money, trying to raise small children, now I can actually live.” She says.

Porthi Dre may be a small community run project, but the work they are doing is certainly being noticed, after having news outlets and newspapers reaching out to spread the word. 

Hopes are high for the organisation to start a community bus scheme to ensure people who can’t travel too far can attend as well. 

By using supplemented food from the freezer to make a warm meal for everyone visiting instead of buying stock, the team are encouraging people to learn to cook and not to be afraid of it or the prices that come with it. 

Anne says, “We’ve seen a massive increase in working people attending Porthi Dre, due to unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes people have to prioritise what they are paying. On arrival, guests are asked if they would like a cup of tea to make them feel welcome. 

People are becoming more involved with projects such as cooking. It gives people a chance to integrate, with different games and activities on different days. We are all in the same boat.”

Consumer Rights spoke with a member of the public who regularly visits Porthi Dre. She told us, “I’ve been coming here for over a year, and I would miss the place if it wasn’t open. The food is worth the money here, you only pay £3 and you get a lot for it, it’s been a massive lifeline for people like me who are struggling to put food on the table. Paying for something gives us a bit of dignity. 

You get a choice of one item from every box, which offers cereals, pastas and long life food, along with fresh food which changes every week, offered a free cup of tea or coffee and cakes and soup and bread on arrival. So not only are you getting bargain food for cheap, you also have the chance to fill your belly before you leave. The scheme has helped me alot, with the food and items we receive from Dunelm such as plates and pans, people are missing out on not coming here. Porthi Dre makes us feel like a part of something.”

The stigma created around food banks blocks a lot of people from attending, Consumer Rights want to eliminate this stigma, by highlighting the fantastic work being done here. Food banks are in place to support people in times of crisis, and this stigma needs to be broken. Everyone is entitled to food, and everyone should be able to have access to it. 

It’s very rare to have the opportunity to witness something with your own eyes and get a real feel for what is happening. As a journalist for Consumer Rights, I am used to reporting about the cost of living and the impact it is having on the general public, but to see it happening in real life is a real eye opener. 

During our time at Porthi Dre, Consumer Rights witnessed sky high demand for the most basic of items which should not be an issue in 2023. After seeing the rapidly growing number of people in need and the work and dedication Porthi Dre provides, Consumer Rights wants to raise awareness for people who may not know about this scheme, to come forward and see what Porthi Dre is all about. 

Consumer Rights would like to thank Anne and Dewi for all they have done and continue to do for the people of Caernarfon. 

If you know someone who is struggling with food or maybe isolated, bring them along to one of the many sessions on monday through friday at Ty Seiont, St Helen’s Road, Caernarfon, Gwynedd. LL552YD; it could provide you and others with a lifeline you didn’t know you needed.

The Welsh government said it was spending more than £1.6 billion to support people during the cost-of-living crisis and has provided almost £15 million to foodbanks. 

The tireless efforts of Porthi Dre demonstrate the spirit of community cooperation and selflessness. Their work is a vital resource for many Caernarfon residents, illustrating the effectiveness of community action in addressing local needs.

Hunger is a political choice. It isn’t about food, it’s about a lack of income to afford the food. Without their hard working volunteers, Porthi Dre and O Law I Law would not exist.

Porthi Dre are currently looking for any volunteers who are willing to contribute to this fantastic scheme.

Danielle Lockett