About
How foodbanks work
Providing emergency food to people in crisis.
Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple bag of food makes a big difference, with food banks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.
Food is donated
Schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a food bank. Collections often take place as part of Harvest Festival celebrations and food is also collected at supermarkets, where large collections are received by our Foodbank volunteers.
Food is sorted and stored
At the warehouse, food is date-checked, sorted and packed ready to be sent sent to the distribution centres. All by our wonderful teams of volunteers.
Professionals identify people in need
Foodbank partners, from a wide range of care professionals from medical centres, schools, social workers, mental health and addiction services, and many others, identify people in crisis and, as part of their ongoing support, can issue them with a foodbank voucher code.
Clients receive food
Foodbank clients bring their voucher code to a food bank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food.
Following the dark days of Covid-19 and Social Distancing, we are thrilled to be able to spend ‘quality time’ with our clients, enjoying a cup of tea and a chat.
In most of our Distribution Centres volunteers are able to meet clients over a warm drink and a chat, and can meet Professional Financial Advisors who are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve their longer-term problems.