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Foodbank AGM

26th March 2017

Increased Demand Leaves Foodbank’s Warehouse at all time low

Stratford upon Avon Foodbank held its third AGM on March 16th 2017 in Alveston School’s new Community Room. During the meeting Foodbank Chairman, Rev’d Canon Richard Williams, honoured the many long serving volunteers who have given their time regularly at the Foodbank since the service started in January 2013. Revd. Canon Williams also shared some Foodbank data with those assembled, which included the mayor Cllr Juliet Short. He revealed that since opening in January 2013 the Foodbank has fed a total 5,491 people, 22% of which were children. In its last financial year an average 108 people a month have received emergency food parcels equating to an 11% increase on the previous financial year.
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Foodbank Chairman Revd Canon Richard Williams discusses increased use of town’s Foodbank at the AGM
Alarmingly Revd Canon Williams went on advise those attending that during months of December, January and February Foodbank usage had seen a marked increase. During these winter months, Foodbank clients were up 22% year on year. The average monthly number now fed was at its highest ever level, with 163 people a month receiving emergency food parcels.
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Foodbank Chairman Revd Canon Richard Williams congratulates Treasurer Trevor Lloyd Adams on his long service volunteer award
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Chairman Revd Canon Richard Williams congratulates volunteer Pam Duncan on her long service award
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Mayor Cllr Juliet Short recognises contribution of Foodbank to the Town’s community by attending the AGM. Photo also includes Foodbank Manager Marion Homer
Foodbank Manager Marion Homer said, “This increased demand has obviously had an effect on the Foodbank’s warehouse and, despite some generous food donations, our food stocks are the lowest I have ever seen them. Whilst we are not in any immediate danger of having to turn people away, we are asking for increased food donations to help us during this busy time. The Foodbank has been very fortunate, as the people of Stratford have always been extremely generous, without them, we would not be able to bring this essential service to the town. Year on year food donations are actually up 50% but, due to rising client numbers, we do need more food to meet this unfortunate growing need.“
If any member of the public wishes to donate food please drop items into the Foodbank’s collection baskets at Tesco, Waitrose, and Morisons or use the box at Holy Trinity Church. Alternatively, food donations can be bought directly to the Foodbank’s warehouse on Tesco car park at the following times Monday and Wednesday 2-4pm, and Tuesday and Friday 11.30 – 2pm. Donations of the following items are particularly welcome: tinned pies, tinned ham, corned beef, coffee, rice, rice pudding, savoury biscuits/snacks, pasta sauces, and tinned veg. Please note the Foodbank can only take tinned or packaged items and small sizes are preferred.

Summary of what we achieved in 2016 and 2017 so far

Financial year (FY) 2016 overview

  • We fed 1443 people in FY 2016 (74% adult, 26% children)
  • This is an increase of 11% on last year
  • Donations were 3% down on last year but 24 extra donation sources
  • 30 Referral agencies used, an increase of 4 from last year

Who are we feeding

  • 65% of vouchers redeemed were for single people
  • 13% of households had someone in paid employment

Donations

  • Donations by weight was lower this year although they came from a wider range of sources
  • 67 different sources of donation, including:
  • 12 schools (10% of donations by weight)
  • 18 churches (11% of donations by weight) and
  • 3 supermarkets (63% of donations by weight)

Referrals

  • We used a total of 30 referral agencies in FY 2016
  • However, 65% of our referrals came from 3 referral agencies:
  • Stratford District Council (32%)
  • CAB (23%)
  • Recovery Partnership (10%)

2017 so far

  • We have fed 22% more people in the first quarter of FY 2017 vs Q1’16
  • The average number of people fed across Q1’17 was 163 per month
  • Nearly 5,000kg of food donated in December 2016

Comment Book Feb 2017
“Brilliant- would not be here without the FB …helped so many people. The Foodbank is good. The council need to be as good as the FB!”

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