Food Parcel Deliveries for Struggling Families
Stratford upon Avon Foodbank, and Stratford Churches Together, will once again provide a food parcel delivery for struggling families living in Stratford and the surrounding area during half term. This offer is being made to all families with at least one child of primary school age and continues the support offered during the summer holidays. Unfortunately, Covid guidelines means that the usual MakeLunch operation of inviting families to attend a lunchtime meal at the URC church is not possible. Instead, a food parcel is being offered which will be delivered to the family’s home address, to any household within Stratford and the surrounding area.
MakeLunch Project leader Ann Jones said, “We know the families we supported during the summer found the food parcel delivery really helpful and we are delighted that the Foodbank are able, once again, to offer this support during October half term.”
Foodbank Manager Marion Homer said,
“We are aware that the run up to Christmas and beyond will be worrying time for many families in the Stratford area. Partnering with MakeLunch is just one of a number initiatives we have set up to support families and individuals during this concerning time. All families taking up this half term food parcel will be offered access to our own dedicated Citizens Advice worker who is able to help and advise on all aspects of income maximisation. In addition, we have a longer term fresh food parcel delivery that we will be launching in November and any October MakeLunch families can be referred to this new service too.
“We urge any family with a child of primary school age who is facing financial hardship, or any agency working with such families, to make contact so we can deliver a food parcel to them during October Half Term – we are even hoping to include a pumpkin in the parcel.”
If you are a parent or guardian with primary school aged children and feel you might benefit from a half term food parcel, or you are working with families in a crisis situation, please contact MakeLunch project leader Ann Jones on 07580 557163 or email her at [email protected] to be added to the delivery list.
The deadline for nominating families is Tuesday 20th October and, due to space and resources, only 70 families will be taken onto the scheme.
For more information please follow the MakeLunch Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/ or see the Q & A below.
MakeLunch Food Parcel Deliveries
Questions and Answers
- Who is eligible for a MakeLunch Half Term food parcel delivery?
Any family with at least one child of primary school age school
- Do you have to be eligible for free school meals to qualify for a food parcel delivery?
No, any family, for whom receiving a food parcel at half term might provide a welcome support, can be nominated or contact us directly.
- How do I arrange to get a Half Term MakeLunch food parcel delivery?
Please contact MakeLunch project Leader Ann Jones to be added to the delivery list before the deadline of Tuesday 20th October. We are sorry but we cannot accept nominations after this date as there is extensive admin and logistics work to set up to allow the project to run . We will only be able to accept 70 families so please reply as soon as possible.
Please contact Project Leader Ann Jones on 07580 557163 or email her on [email protected]. You can also contact the project through their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/.
- I work with families in need can I refer them to this service?
Yes you can. Any organisation working with families facing challenges can refer to this service, there is no fixed criteria other than the appreciation that a food parcel would be of benefit and the family has at least one child of primary school age. (see question 10 below).
- When will deliveries happen?
Deliveries will happen w/c Monday 26th. Families will be contacted to advise which day the parcel is coming. Someone will need to be at home to receive the delivery. Please make contact as soon as possible so we can start planning.
Contact details:
Phone:07580 557163
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/.
- How will the deliveries be made?
Deliveries will be made discreetly using volunteers own cars.
- What will be in the food parcel?
Each food parcel will contain a Foodbank three day emergency food parcel providing nutritionally balanced ‘emergency food ‘ consisting of tins and packet items. In addition, the MakeLunch project will be adding a small amount of fresh food and an extra surprise for the children.
- Which areas will MakeLunch deliver to?
MakeLunch will deliver to any address within Stratford and the surrounding area, where residents would normally access Stratford Foodbank as their nearest or most appropriate Foodbank. Areas covered include:
-
- the town of Stratford
- South to Long Marston, Lower Quinton and Meon Vale, Newbold and Alderminster
- East out to Tiddington and Alveston
- West out to Welford, Bidford, Temple Grafton and villages on the Warwickshire/Worcestershire boarder such as Pebworth and Honeybourne,
- North of the town to Snitterfield, Wilmcote, Wooten Wawen, Aston Cantlow, Claverdon, and Henley in Arden
- What about families in Wellesbourne, Treddington , Shipston, Alcester and Studley?
Families needing food parcels in Wellesbourne should contact Fosse Foodbank who operate a delivery service and may well be able to arrange that for you. Arden Foodbank is best served to support families in Alcester and Studley, and there is a foodbank in Shipston best placed to served families in Treddington and Shipston. In some cases the foodbank at Evesham may be able to help, contact details as follows:
Arden Foodbank (Alcester and Studley)
https://arden.foodbank.org.uk/
Fosse Foodbank (Wellesbourne, Barford, Ettington, Kineton, Lighthorne)
https://fosse.foodbank.org.uk/
Shipston Foodbank
Call 01608 661210
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ShipstonFoodBank/about/?ref=page_internal
Caring Hands Foodbank Evesham
07721 559387
http://www.chands.org.uk/contact.htm
- Can I get a food parcel delivery if I have children at secondary school age or at nursery school, but not any at primary school?
The MakeLunch project are prepared to deliver parcels to any family that has at least one child of primary school age. However, if you have children but none of primary school please contact the foodbank on [email protected] or call or text on 07736 929029 and they may be able to accommodate you under their usual food parcel provision, in some cases this may also include a food parcel delivery.
- Is there a limit to the support available ?
The MakeLunch project are keen to support as many families as possible. But numbers will be capped at 70, so please make contact as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this service.
For more information please contact
Marion Homer Foodbank Manager
07736 611323
