HOW FOODBANKS WORK

Our foodbank services are provided on a referral-only basis for those who are in financial crisis and have no other way of accessing food.

1- FOOD IS DONATED

People will check our appeals page to see what is most needed, then donate food via a collecting basket at their local supermarket or at special events at schools, workplaces or churches.  The food is collected from the donation point by our transport volunteer team and brought to our warehouse.

2- FOOD IS SORTED AND STORED

At the warehouse the van is unloaded and then each item is individually checked by a volunteer to make sure that it is not expired and that the packaging is not damaged or open.  Once it has been checked everything is sorted into categories and stored by expiry date. 

As well as checking and sorting the food, our warehouse volunteers also make up our food parcels.  Each parcel is made up using a pick list to ensure that each one is broadly the same and will give the recipients three balanced meals a day and some snacks. 

The transport volunteers then transfer the completed food parcels to the foodbank centres for distribution.

3- PROFESSIONALS IDENTIFY PEOPLE IN NEED

When a support agency has a client who needs our help they can refer them to their local foodbank using our e-referral system. There are a wide range of support services registered to make referrals, including charities, statutory services and NHS services. While the type of support offered across these ranges, the common factor is that they can help people get beyond their crisis and into a better place.

4. CLIENTS VISIT THE FOODBANK

Once a client has been referred to us they can visit the foodbank centre and show the volunteers their e-referral.  The volunteers will make them welcome and offer them a hot drink and a biscuit.  A volunteer checks if the client has any special dietary requirements and provides them with a parcel for themselves and their household.  As well as food, we can provide the client with basic toiletries and household items, baby food, nappies and pet food.  From time to time we will have extra items for the client to choose from – for example at Christmas we can usually provide advent calendars for the children in the family (and the young at heart!) as well as mince pies and other seasonal goodies. 

The foodbank volunteers love to chat with our clients and will offer them information or referral to more than food services where appropriate.