ACCESSING A FOODBANK
We do not believe anyone should have to choose between heating and eating and we would love to live in a country where people did not have to make this choice. Unfortunately this is a real choice that millions of people face everyday in the UK.
Foodbanks are able to offer emergency support to local people in need. A foodbank can provide three days' worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to those in need.
How Do Foodbanks Work?
Providing emergency food to people in crisis.
Every day people all across the UK go hungry for reasons such as redundancy to receiving an expected bill when on a low income.
A 3 day box of food can make a real difference to people who find themselves in this situation.
Food is Donated
Schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a foodbank. Large collections often take place as part of Harvest Festival celebrations and food is also collected at supermarkets.
FOOD IS SORTED AND STORED
Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Over 40,000 people give up their time to volunteer at foodbanks.
PROFESSIONALS IDENTIFY PEOPLE IN NEED
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
CLIENTS RECEIVE FOOD
Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.