A charity has move to reassure vulnerable people after it took over their food bank project.

Since 2022, Maidstone council has run three community larders in the town but all that is about to change.

The centres have been paid for by the West Kent Health and Care Partnership’s health inequalities programme.

But that funding is now finished and the council doesn’t have the money to continue running the larders itself.

Instead, it is outsourcing to food bank charity The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT).

The Maidstone hubs are at the Trinty Church in the town centre, at Northumberland Court in Shepway, and at the Rosemary Graham Day Centre in Park Wood.

Volunteers and users have told KentOnline at their unease at the changes being planned by TBBT and criticised a lack of communication.

The council has paid the charity an undisclosed one-off sum to take over the Maidstone service from April 1.

Volunteer Colin Edney, who has assisted at the Shepway food larder for two years, fears his clients are going to lose out.

He said: “Currently those in need pay £3 on arrival and can then collect up to 10 items from our stock of fruit and veg, chilled and dry items.

“But under the new arrangement, we’ve been told they will have to pay £8.50. That is a big jump for those on very low or no income.”

Currently, the Shepway larder opens twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday, between 10am and 1pm.

Mr Edney added: “There’s usually a queue outside at opening time - everyone wants to be first to get the best stuff, but we could see up to 50 people use the larder during the course of day.”

He said: “So far, there’s been a real lack of communication about the new arrangements. It’s all been Chinese whispers. People are worried because they don’t know what is going to happen.”

But the situation may not be as dire as he fears.

Under the TBBT model, the standard £8.50 fee buys three carrier bags of mixed foods, with larger families allowed a double whack - six bags for £17, and clients can also purchase a single bag for £5.

A big difference is that customers will no longer be able to choose their items - they will be handed ready-filled bags and have to trust pot luck.

There will also be a smaller slot for collection - just 30 minutes, compared with the three-hour window they get currently.

Ward councillor Maureen Cleator (Lab) said: “Personally, I wish we could have carried on as we were, but that’s not possible.

“Councillors have not had any presentation from TBBT to understand fully how they will operate.

“I do hope they realise at the moment the larders are so much more than just a food bank.

“They are social places with celebrations at Christmas and special events, and places where the community wardens and other agencies like the addiction charity Change Grow Live can call in and offer support.

“I know the borough council did try very hard to find a local organisation to take on the running of the food larders, but couldn’t find anyone.

“We don’t know how TBBT are going to run things, but one thing is for sure, it will be better than nothing, that would be a complete disaster for the many people.”

Speaking for the charity, which operates 135 ‘food clubs’, Natalie Aitchison confirmed that initially there would be only a food collection service.

But she said: “At many of our clubs we do hold a brew and biscuit session, where we invite customers to come in early, and we would look to do that also in Maidstone once we got going. Our clubs are very social places.”

Chris Cain, 64, from Titchfield Road, Maidstone, is a regular user of the food larder.

He said: “I was on the street when I came to Maidstone, but I was given great help by the council and Porchlight (a homeless charity) who helped me find a flat and get me back on my feet.

“But I am disabled and haven’t yet found work, so the larder is essential to me. I and many others are very, very cross - we feel like we are being marketed.

“We don’t really know what is going on, only what we have heard on the grapevine. For us, the larder is so much more than that; it’s a place to chat and feel that you belong.

“We don’t need change - we already have a good thing.”

Cllr David Naghi, cabinet member for community cohesion, said: “The community larders have helped to support hundreds of residents since 2022, and there is a clear need to continue this excellent work.

“My thanks go to the MBC officers and volunteers who have made this possible. With the funding stream removed, I am pleased that the council has been able to find a sustainable way to maintain the service.”

TBBT intends to operate from a base in Allington, where it would collect food surpluses donated by suppliers, growers and supermarkets, before redistributing them.

Service users will need to sign up by texting 07860 063 304 with their full name, postcode, and the name of the hub they will be collecting from.

Once registered, the charity will text the members to ask if they would like to use the service each week.

If confirmed, there will be a guaranteed food package waiting on the day of collection.

TBBT chief executive Vic Harper said: “We’re all about helping food budgets go further, so we’re really pleased to have the opportunity to support communities in Maidstone.

“Some 73% of our members tell us that, since joining Bread and Butter, they don’t skip as many meals as they used to.”

In answer to the criticism over a lack of information, an MBC spokesman said: “We have prioritised communication with the community larder staff and volunteers in the first instance, and now that arrangements with The Bread and Butter Thing have been formalised, we want to reassure customers that MBC’s priority is that a sustainable provision continues, to address food inequalities.”

Maidstone council said the “food clubs” would continue in the same venue at Shepway, and at Trinity Church.

The Park Wood hub will move to Fusion Healthy Living Centre, at 2-3 Cobb Way, Maidstone, ME15 9XF.