One of the co-ordinators behind a discounted food charity has said people need to support it to keep it going.

Devon & Cornwall Food Action (DCFA), which is based in Plymouth, holds monthly events at different locations in Cornwall, including Camborne, Hayle and Truro, at which you can pay £25 and get a large amount of food, toiletries and household goods that would cost far more to buy in a supermarket.

In October it said it had to make the decision to cancel the Helston event due to rising costs coming down from Plymouth - although it has since said it will be returning for the November hub, back at Helston Community College.

Debbie Taylor, from Devon & Cornwall Food Action, has now explained more about why the charity had to pull out from Helston last month – and said at least 50 people need to go to each event in order to make it cost effective.

She said that on the week the Helston event had to be cancelled, a new hub was opened at Derriford Hospital – and 150 people had signed up for it, compared to only 30 for the Helston event.

“Unfortunately it fell on the same day as the Helston one. On the first visit [to Derriford] we had 150 people, and it’s down the road, so we had to prioritise that.

“We are completely run by volunteers and it’s quite a lot of organisation.

“It’s not our intention to let people down – the whole ethos is to help people. We just need people to come.

“Coming from Plymouth we do need at least 50 at a food hub. Although Helston was a really big one, it went down to around 30 people,” she said.

An example of what you get for your £25An example of what you get for your £25 (Image: NQ) Debbie explained that the £25 helped cover the cost of both travel from Plymouth to the different events in Cornwall, as well as other expenses – the charity’s electricity bill being £3,000 alone, on top of renting the warehouse.

“As long as we have got those numbers it’s absolutely fine to do,” she added.

She stressed that anyone from Cornwall could attend any of the events, not just their local one – and they had people going around to a different hub each week for their shopping.

Different to a foodbank, people don’t need a referral or even to book. The rationale behind it is cut down on food waste and help working people who find their monthly pay cheque is covering less and less.

“Around 80 per cent of people that come are working people,” added Debbie.

You can read more about what you get in the bags here: I paid £25 and got a week's worth of shopping - and so can you thanks to DCFA

The next Helston event takes place on November 23 at Helston Community College, and needs to be booked by Wednesday, November 20 by calling Debbie on 07880 835331.

Before that, there will be a hub at Redruth Engine House on the Cardrew Industrial Estate on November 19, which again must be booked no later than three days beforehand.

Truro is on November 30 and Hayle on December 7. For the full schedule see the Devon & Cornwall Food Action Facebook page.