Stratford Foodbank is holding a lunchtime training session for referral agency partners on Friday 4th May 12.30pm at Foundation House, Masons Road in Stratford. A warm welcome is extended to any Stratford based organisation supporting those in crisis who would like to know more about accessing emergency food parcels from the Foodbank. The session will include a short 15-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session, and sandwiches will be provided.
Stratford’s Foodbank Manager Marion Homer said,
“This lunchtime session is designed for existing and new referral partners wishing to work with us to support those in need in our town. The Foodbank is dependent on partnerships like this to support those in crisis. All our food parcels are distributed based on our referral partners assessing need and providing the client with a foodbank voucher. The client then brings this voucher to one of our distribution sessions and exchanges it for a three-day food parcel made up of non-perishable items. Parcels can be made up for a single person, a couple or any size of family.
“Despite seeing a significant increase in demand for our food parcels we believe there are still those in need who don’t know how to access our support, so we are looking to ensure we are working as well as possible with both existing and new partners in the town. We are particularly keen to see more doctors surgeries, schools and colleges holding our vouchers. We would also like to work with more partners supporting older people in Stratford; this might include churches pastoral groups and social organsiations.”
The session takes place over lunchtime on Friday 4th May from 12.30 -1.30pm and sandwiches will be provided. If you are interested in attending, or would like to know more about the workshop, please contact [email protected].
Some Foodbank Data
Since starting in January 2013, the foodbank has distributed over 7,815 food parcels. Last year saw a demand in services with the average number of people seeking help each month rising from a 115 to 180. December 2017 was the busiest month on record, the Foodbank distributed 259 parcels, 39% of which went to children.
How the Foodbank operates
The Foodbank is a volunteer run operation with a board of volunteer trustees and one part time manager. The Foodbank is largely funded by Stratford Town Trust and could not operate without their significant support. Food parcels are distributed from the Foodbank’s cabin on Tesco’s carpark during three weekly sessions; on a Tuesday and Friday 12pm – 2pm and a Thursday 5-6.30pm. Food is donated by members of the public and food collection baskets can be found at Waitrose, Morrison’s, Tesco, Holy Trinity Church and Café Lomas at the new Stratford Hospital, as well as many other church and businesses across the town. The Foodbank is always looking for volunteers and details of their current volunteer vacancies can be seen here https://stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/volunteer/
Notes to Editors
For further information on Stratford Foodbank please contact the Foodbank Manager:
Marion Homer
07736 611323
[email protected].
- When and where is Stratford’s Foodbank?
Stratford Foodbank’s Distribution days are Tuesday and Fridays12-2pm and Thursday 5-6.30pm. Food is distributed form the Foodbank’s cabin at the top of the Tesco carpark, opposite the ‘Click and Collect’ area.
- How can you get food?
Everyone who visits Stratford’s Foodbank is referred by an agency or professional e.g. a social worker, health visitor, schools liaison officer, or member of the clergy. These referral agencies provide a red voucher which that the person can take to the food distribution day to show they are eligible for emergency food.
- What happens on a distribution day?
Each distribution day is manned by a team of volunteers who make all visitors feel as comfortable and welcome as possible. A cup of tea and/or a listening ear is always available. The red vouchers are discreetly checked by our volunteers and then parcels are made up, these can either be for a single person, a couple or a family. Food is given to clients in strong plastic bags for the ease of carrying away.
- What’s in a Foodbank Parcel?
Food parcels contain at least three days’ supply of non-perishable foods, such as tinned fruit, vegetables, meat and fish as well as pasta, cereal, UHT milk, sauces, tea, long-life juice, all designed to be used at times of emergency. The Trussell Trust (the charity behind Stratford’s Foodbank) work with dieticians to ensure that food parcels are nutritionally balanced. Parcels can be made up for single people, a couple or a family.
- Where can I donate food to Stratford upon Avon Foodbank?
Collection boxes for Stratford’s Foodbank can be found at Tesco, Waitrose , Morrison’s, Holy Trinity Church and Café Lomas at Stratford Hopsital. Donations can also be taken directly to the Foodbank’s warehouse on Mondays and Wednesdays 2-3.30pm, at the cabin on Tesco’s carpark.
- What is the Trussell Trust?
Stratford Foodbank is an independent charity affiliated to the Trussell Trust. The Trussell Trust is a Christian charity that runs the biggest network of foodbanks in the UK. Stratford’s Foodbank is run according to Trussell Trust guidelines and principles. For more on the Trussell Trust visit www.trusselltrust.org. For more information on the work carried out by Trussell Trust foodbanks visit: www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects
- Can I volunteer to help at the Foodbank?
Stratford Foodbank is very fortunate in that it has many committed volunteers but we are always looking for more. Help is not limited just the distribution days. There is a host of admin and organisational tasks that always need to be done. Therefore, if you can drive a car, input data into computers, make cups of tea, speak to people, pack food, help with PR and communications, and virtually anything else you can think of please check the Foodbank website for volunteer vacancies www.stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
- Do I have to be a Christian to help?
Many of our volunteers are Christian, and the Trussell Trust, is founded on Christian principles. However, not every member of the team is a Christian, but all volunteers subscribe to the same values. Volunteers of all faith and none are needed to keep the service operational.
- Funding
Stratford upon Avon Foodbank is a registered charity (No 1153297) and relies on charitable donations for its operation. In particular, we are grateful for the support of Stratford Town Trust. We are also grateful for the support of Tesco in Stratford, who provide space for our warehouse and distribution centre in their carpark.
- For more Information about Food Banks:
Please look at ‘Myths’ article on Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/molly-hodson/foodbank-myths_b_7133786.html
