We believe that access to food is a fundamental right, essential for individuals and families to thrive. Unfortunately, this basic necessity has become a luxury that many in our community struggle to afford. As winter approaches and temperatures drop, people face increasingly difficult choices between heating their homes and putting food on the table. With rising costs of rents, mortgages, and bills these challenges, for some, have never been harder. Our mission is to be a beacon of hope for those in need.

We continue to see exceptionally high referrals into our food bank and in the last 12 months we provided 368,385 meals to people in crisis.

More Than Just a Food Bank

Since we opened our doors in 1997 as a small food bank, we have grown into one of the largest independent food banks in the UK. We recognised that merely providing food was a temporary solution to a much deeper issue. This realisation led to the development of our in-house Advice, Guidance, and Support (AGS) service, aimed at addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

In the last 12 months, our AGS service has provided 13,070 support sessions.

While many frontline services have had to reduce their operations due to capacity or funding constraints, we have maintained our commitment to serve everyone in need in our community. Our AGS team provides support on various topics, including money management, budgeting, and referrals for debt assistance, mental health support, and connections to local domestic abuse services. We also work to bridge the digital divide by providing SIM cards, mobile phones, and laptop loans to those who need them. Additionally, our collaboration with employment support services has helped numerous clients secure stable employment. We have been fortunate to work with lots of wonderful local sports clubs who have provided the children we support with places on sports camps and access to play gyms. 

Many of the clients referred to us are suffering fuel poverty. Sadly we had to consider ways we can support clients who are unable to afford to turn on their energy supply. Over the last 3 years we have also expanded our provision to offer energy vouchers to clients we know are in need, so that we can ensure they are able to heat the food we provide. 

We are asking for your support so that we can continue offering this much needed service and so that we can expand and adapt the service to ensure that we are continuing to meet the needs of all of our clients. 

Providing food alone, for some, is a sticking plaster. We are proud to provide people with solutions to their issues. Your support will enable us to continue to provide and develop this vital service which has helped so many people out of crisis and back on to a path, free from food insecurity. 

Impact Stories

Case Study A: A Full Circle Story
 B came to us seeking a food pack after being discharged from rehab and placed in temporary accommodation. While waiting, one of our AGS caseworkers engaged him in conversation and offered assistance with a benefit check. After several months of support, we successfully secured Personal Independence Payments for B, helped with a grant for a fridge, and provided emotional support. A year later, B returned not just as a former client but as a volunteer, giving back to others in similar circumstances and proving that transformation is possible.

Case Study B: A Christmas Joy
 J came to collect a food pack and shared that it was his first Christmas clean from substance use. He expressed concern about not being able to afford gifts for his mother and son. Our team reassured him that his family would cherish his presence and health above all. We were able to provide a bike for his son and a gift set for his mother. Some weeks later, J returned, overwhelmed with emotion as he recounted the joy on his son’s face when he received the bike, and confirming that the best gift was being together as a family.

Case Study C: Heating a Home and a Heart
 When P came to collect her food pack, she was visibly unwell and mentioned she hadn't been able to top up her energy meter for weeks. She requested that the food be suitable for no-cook preparation due to her inability to afford electricity. We provided her with a fuel voucher and worked closely with her over the following months, ultimately referring her to an employment specialist. P is now in stable employment, able to feed herself and keep her home warm, and is thriving in her new role.

How will we use these funds?

We're raising funds for several important things for our AGS & Food Bank Service. 

1. Items for direct distribution for families and individuals 

2. Operational costs including costs relating to pack preparation, distribution and wider the running of our service.

2. We'll purchase essential food items for our crisis packs, reducing hunger and allowing clients the chance to take stock of their situation. 

3. We'll invest in training for our team. This includes specialised training to navigate the welfare system on behalf of our clients and broader training to support clients emotionally and practically. Many of our clients come to us with mental health challenges, they may be struggling with substance misuse or fleeing domestic violence, and our team is there to listen and help. So it's essential that our team members have the knowledge and skills to protect their clients as well as themselves.  

We are proud to be more than just a food bank; we are a vital resource for individuals and families facing hardship. With your support, we can continue to provide essential services, empower our clients, and foster a sense of community and hope.