News

Foodbank Harvest

11th September 2020

Everything you need to know about Harvest…

We are gearing up for a very busy Harvest time. Demand for our parcels has risen steeply over the summer months from a monthly average of 263 in 2019 to 361 during 2020.

Foodbank Manager Marion Homer said;

“This time of year we are often remembered in harvest festivals celebrated in local schools and churches. These donations are really important as they enable us to support those who find themselves in a crisis situation by providing individuals, and their families, with a three day emergency food parcel.

This year has been an uncertain time for everyone and that includes the Foodbank. At the start of the pandemic we had to move at very short notice to the more ‘Covid Secure’ location of Stratford Methodist Church. We were also very concerned about how food donations would be affected by lock down. I’m pleased to say that the local residents have been amazing in their continued support to us and we are so grateful for that.

However, demand is, unfortunately rising – and we fear that as the Autumn progresses many people may well be facing an uncertain time. Therefore, we are appealing for everyone to continue to donate if they can – even just one small packet of rice, or tin of ravioli would make all the difference  – helping us maintain our service throughout the Autumn, Winter and beyond.”

We know that this year things are a bit different, with many churches meeting online, and all of us needing to put in place measures to limit the spread of coronavirus to keep one another safe. But we’d love you to consider whether your church or school could  safely run a food collection to support us as we move into a period where we expect to see exceptionally high levels of need.

What to Donate

This Harvest the Foodbank is particularly short of tinned meat meals such as minced beef, hot dog sausages, curry, chilli, chicken in sauce, as well as tinned pies- both meat and vegetarian versions. To see a full list of our most needed items this Harvest time, please click here  for a printable list– we would be so grateful to receive any of these items .

Please remember that the Foodbank can only accept donations of non-perishable food items, i.e.no fresh or chilled items, and we prefer small sizes if possible.

Harvest Festival Resources

If you are a local church and would like to support the Foodbank this Harvest please click here for a downloadable poster.

The Trussell Trust has many great harvest foodbank resources suitable for schools or churches please– click here to see them

Where to Donate.

Supermarkets: Food donations can be left in any of our supermarket collection points at Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Lidl, Sainsbury’s on Bridge Street and the Co-ops on Trinity Mead and in Bidford.

Our Warehouse: You can also bring food directly to our warehouse at the Methodist Church on Mondays and Wednesdays 2- 4pm ,and Saturday 9.30 -11.30am. Please note due to restrictions around Covid 19 we can NOT accept food donations at any other times. When you arrive please press the buzzer for the Wesley Hall and stand well back and a volunteer will be with you as soon as possible.

To see how to donate food to the Foodbank safely this Harvest time, please watch this video and click here for printable instructions

To Find Stratford Methodist Church

Address: Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG

Please be aware that the postcode CV37 6BG points to the general area which, as well as Stratford Methodist Church also includes locations such as Hall’s Croft and Holy Trinity Church.

Directions via Google Maps link.

Walking Directions

From The Royal Shakespeare Theatre continue along Waterside, with the river to your left, away from the town centre and continue along Southern Lane.  At the T-Junction turn left into Old Town. Carry on until you reach the second entrance to Holy Trinity Church and Stratford Methodist Church is  on your right-hand side

Donate on Line

If you can’t get to a supermarket or the Methodist Church to make a food donation, you may wish to make a cash donation online at https://www.justgiving.com/stratforduponavon-foodbank

Alternatively to make a donation via bank transfer, please contact our Treasurer [email protected] and ask for our bank details.

Thank You!

We are so grateful for all your support, which enables us to help those in crisis in our town and local area.

Back to News