How does the Food Bank work?
The Food Bank receives donations of food from many people; some put food in the basket at the supermarket, others in crates at school, church, or scouts. Some give donations of money to help us run the Food Bank.
We provide that donated food to people who are in urgent need of help. Whatever it is, there is not enough food in the house for themselves or children.
- A volunteer will ask you what is happening.
- Every person has different needs and will decide whether it is okay for them to have some of the free food that has been given by local people just for this purpose.
- If you are in on a Tuesday you can speak to our Citizens Advice worker
- The volunteer will have to decide if the Food Bank can help, and agree with you how much food we can supply, and for how many weeks.
- For a single person or a couple, we can give 20 items from our basic stock, and you can choose another 10 items from our optional stock. If you have children we can give you another 5 optional items per child.
- If you want to come again next week for another free bag of food, we will ask you to bring some paperwork to show that you are in the situation you say.
- You cannot keep coming to the Food Bank for ever, unless there is another crisis. However, you can join the Community Outlet and receive about £25 of food for just £3.
What is a Community Outlet?
A Community Outlet brings into the community food that the supermarkets are not going to distribute from their warehouses to their shops. It is run by volunteers. This is not out of date food. It is food the supermarkets have overstocked and are unable to sell. If it is not distributed and used it will be sent to waste.
- Bread products
- Butter, Cheese, Eggs and Milk
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Tins and jars
- Dry goods, cereals, pasta, rice
The Community Outlet spends over £2500 getting this food, so we have to ask for a £3 donation from every member at every visit
How do I use the Community Outlet?
Anyone in the Valley can use the Community Outlet.
It helps with the cost of living and it helps with the environment.
Because the supermarkets do not allow us to ‘re-price’ the food they pass on to us, we have a membership scheme.
Anyone can be a member for £5 a year. If you have not got £5 the first time, you can start for £1 and pay the other £4 over the next four weeks
Once you are a member you can come to the shop every week and choose whatever you want from the food in the Community Outlet that week.
You can fill a carrier bag with 20 items for just £3.
The Community Outlet will only stock the food that we receive. You won’t get everything you need, however, you will get about £25 of food for £3.
Food Matters 