Foodbank
If you were in a crisis – where would you turn?
Many of us have friends, family or church family to turn to when the going gets tough. But what if your family could no longer help and you had nowhere else to go? What if the children were hungry, the cupboards bare and you’re not sure where the next meal is coming from?
That’s where West Berks Foodbank helps by giving people food and support when they need it most - helping to avert greater disaster and greater poverty.
During 2015 the Foodbank fed 1,931 adults and 1,063 children, a total of 2,994 hungry people.
More and more people live close to the edge of their finances. When crisis hits - such as sudden illness, relationship breakdown, redundancy, or just the general recession - such people have no financial safety net. And that can lead to a struggle to put food on the table.
West Berks Foodbank was set up in March 2013 to provide for this need.
Hear Fran the Project Manager at West Berkshire food bank and our Leader @LynneDoherty_ talk about what an amazing work the food bank are doing with help from donations and volunteers. pic.twitter.com/9WE9OruhqC
— West Berkshire (@WestBerkshire) May 22, 2020
All our food and other goods is donated by local people.
This is then taken to our Warehouse in Greenham Business Park. The Warehouse is entirely funded by the Greenham Common Trust. Here volunteers sort the donated goods to ensure that the shortest dated items are used first.
The Foodbank works with front-line care professionals, such as Social Services, Health visitors and Doctors, Clergy and CA, who identify people in crisis and give them a Foodbank voucher. Due to the withdrawal of the services of West Berks Council we have recently set up a Crisis Help line telephone which is manned Mon-Fri from - . (01635 760560). Anyone with a food crisis can ring this number to talk through their problem and if it appears appropriate be directed to one of 4 Distribution Centres located at:
- Thatcham Baptist Church (Monday and Thursday)
- Newbury Salvation Army Hall (Tuesday and Friday)
- Hungerford Methodist Church (Wednesday)
- Lambourn Roman Catholic Church (Monday)
We are open from - on these days.
At present the Foodbank has 107 volunteers covering warehouse duties, distribution centres, administration and collecting.
I need help now - who do I call?
Contact the West Berks Foodbank Crisis Foodline in the first instance on 01635 760 560.
I have a voucher - where do I take it?
Take your voucher to one of these distribution centres open from - :
- Thatcham Baptist Church (Monday and Thursday)
- Newbury Salvation Army Hall (Tuesday and Friday)
- Hungerford Methodist Church (Wednesday)
- Lambourn Roman Catholic Church (Monday)
You will be given three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food. We are sometimes able to offer in addition a loaf of bread and some fresh fruit. If we have stock available, we can provide other goods, e.g. shower gel, shampoo and deodorant, toilet rolls, washing powder and washing up liquid.
How many vouchers can I have?
Up to 3 vouchers which hopefully will see you through your immediate crisis. However in exception circumstances this can be extended. While your food parcel is being prepared, a volunteer will offer a warm drink and a biscuit. They will also be available should you like to have a chat. Your food parcel is packed into supermarket carrier bags or you prefer to bring your own bags these can be used instead. Foodbank volunteers take the time to listen and to offer support.
The West Berks Foodbank has an increasingly urgent need for food items to be donated.
Donating Food
There is always an up-to-date list of the items most needed on the Foodbank App or choose one or two items from our Food List.
St Lawrence's church is a collection point for the foodbank and we are open every day from - . Simply leave your donation in the plastic boxes by the foodbank collection point notice.
Thank you so much for your help!
Other Collection Points
There are also collection points in both Tesco and the Co-op, or you can take them to your nearest distribution centre (open from - ):
- Thatcham Baptist Church (Monday and Thursday)
- Newbury Salvation Army Hall (Tuesday and Friday)
- Hungerford Methodist Church (Wednesday)
- Lambourn Roman Catholic Church (Monday)
Donating Money
Alternatively, rather than giving food – you can donate money to the Foodbank.