A volunteer-led food bank that serves Coningsby, Tattershall and the surrounding area is sure to be supporting ten local less-well-off families this Christmas.

That’s because it has received a generous donation from the Platform Housing Group, one of the largest housing associations in the UK, as part of its ‘Community Kindness’ campaign.

Destiny Outreach Coningsby was set up in 2020 by Richard Archer and his wife, who began distributing food parcels from their garage during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As demand grew, Richard secured alternative space to store and organise donations. He and fellow volunteer Rob Taylor rely on community support for the donations and to keep the project running.

Destiny Outreach Coningsby food bank volunteers Richard Archer (right) and Rob Taylor, who work at RAF Coningsby, receive the £500 donation from Samantha Smith, of the Platform Housing Group.

placeholder image — Destiny Outreach Coningsby food bank volunteers Richard Archer (right) and Rob Taylor, who work at RAF Coningsby, receive the £500 donation from Samantha Smith, of the Platform Housing Group.

Now, Platform has provided a £500 donation in the form of Tesco vouchers, which will help Richard buy the most suitable food items for those most in need.

Richard said: “We’ve seen, first hand, how a simple food parcel can lift a huge weight for people going through a tough time.

"This donation from Platform means we can help ten families this Christmas, not just with food but with a bit of hope. We’re so grateful to everyone who supports the work we do.”

Samantha Smith, community engagement officer at Platform, said: “Richard and Rob are a fantastic example of the power of grassroots community action.

“Their time, energy and compassion are making a real difference locally. We’re proud to support Destiny Outreach and help bring a bit of warmth and dignity to families this winter.”

The food bank provides emergency food parcels for individuals and families within a five-mile radius of Coningsby, working on a referral-only basis through recognised agencies such as Universal Credit and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Each parcel contains enough food to last for three days, with increased need seen during school holidays.

Richard and Rob, who work at RAF Coningsby, run the service in their own time and use their personal vehicles to deliver and collect donations.

They regularly distribute flyers to RAF personnel both on and off base, asking for contributions, which are then collected from doorsteps.

Support also comes from the local Co-op stores in Coningsby and Tattershall, as well as donations from local schools and the wider community.

Destiny Outreach currently supports about 50 families and individuals across the year, with some one-off referrals and others needing more regular help. The team will continue to welcome donations and referrals throughout 2026.

Platform owns and manages about 50,000 homes across Lincolnshire and the Midlands. Its portfolio incudes social housing, affordable-rent homes and also properties under shared ownership.