Stratford upon Avon Foodbank are determined to maintain support to local families struggling to afford food. They are looking for 75 families facing financial difficulties who would benefit from a six month programme of food deliveries, starting in November. Recognising the importance of fresh food when providing food over the longer term, the Foodbank has been funded to deliver weekly food parcels containing locally sourced fresh food.
Marion Homer Foodbank Manager said;
“Stratford Foodbank successfully applied for a share of the National Government’s Covid 19 Emergency Assistance Grant which was made available through Warwickshire County Council. This means we are now in position to work with our referral partners to identify 75 families who are not only struggling to afford food but are prepared to commit to receiving a fresh food parcel – containing meat, (with a vegetarian alternative) fresh fruit and vegetables – for 25 weeks starting from mid-November.
This new project builds on the success of our recent MakeLunch project, where we partnered with Stratford Churches Together to support 70 families throughout the summer holidays and delivered over 1600 parcels in and around Stratford upon Avon. This new fresh food project is an ideal way for our referral partners to ensure vulnerable families can receive 6 months of consistent food support during the winter months and into the spring.”
Support agencies wishing to refer families to this project should complete the nomination form here. Numbers will be capped at 75 families so early referrals are welcome. This project will be delivered by volunteers from both the Foodbank and VASA, and work will be undertaken to ensure operations are carried out in an efficient and Covid safe way.
Closing date for nominations Friday 23rd October.
Questions and Answers
- What will a Stratford upon Avon Foodbank (SUA FB) fresh food parcel contain?
Each parcel is designed for a family of four and will contain two items of fresh meat (e.g. sausage, mince, stewing steak, bacon) and a selection of fresh vegetables and fruit to the value of £20. Fresh meat will be packaged separately to ensure that it meets accepted health and safety requirements.
- If families do not eat meat can they still join the fresh food programme?
Yes they can, non-meat eaters will be provided with a parcel made up of fresh fruit and vegetables to the value of £20. There will only be two types of parcels available – meat parcels for those who can eat red meat, and one consisting of just fruit and vegetables for those who wish for a vegetarian alternative.
- How will the deliveries be made?
SUA FB are working in partnership with VASA to make the deliveries, and all fresh food parcels will be made discreetly using volunteers’ own cars.
- Who is eligible for a SUA FB fresh food parcel?
There are two simple criteria
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- i) Stratford upon Avon Foodbank will support any family (up to a maximum of 75) for whom Stratford upon Avon Foodbank is their nearest foodbank (see point 11 below for details on other local foodbanks)
- ii) All families must commit to 25 weeks of continuous deliveries, i.e. they must commit to being in to receive a food parcel each Monday from November 9th to May 10th*, deliveries will be made between 10am and 2pm.
- What if the family I want to refer has more than 4 people?
The limited time available to collate the Fresh Food parcels means parcels need to be standardised, so all weekly parcels will provide food for 4 people only.
- How do I arrange for a family to get a SUA FB fresh food parcel delivery?
Please complete a nomination form here for each family you wish to refer and return it [email protected]. Numbers will be capped at 75, so early responses are encouraged, and all responses must be received no later than Friday 23rd October. If you have any questions please call 07736 929029.
- When will the Foodbank deliver these parcels?
The delivery of fresh food parcels will start on Monday 9th November and will be delivered by volunteer drivers direct to the family’s home between 10am and 2pm (i.e. outside of the school run). It is a requirement of the project that someone must be in during that time to take delivery, as parcels cannot be left on the doorstep.
- 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 weekly food parcel would be of benefit and the requirement for the family to commit to the full 25 weeks i.e. from November 9th to May 10th *. As there is capacity for just 75 families please do not confirm with your families that they are on the programme until that has been confirmed by the Foodbank. All referral partners will be advised before the 9th November if their families have been accepted onto the scheme.
- How will the 25 week commitment work?
Each referred family will be asked to commit for the full 25 weeks, i.e. they must be at home to receive the parcel every Monday between 10am and 2pm from Monday November 9th to Monday May 10th*. It is a requirement of the project that someone must be in to receive the delivery as parcels cannot be left on the doorstep. SUA FB are therefore asking referral partners to not only refer families who would qualify for an emergency food voucher but to assess the ability of the family to commit to the duration of the 25 week programme.
- What happens if a family cannot commit to 25 weeks?
Before the project starts each family will be asked to commit for the full 25 weeks. Once that commitment is made it is hoped they will do all they can to be at home each Monday between 10am and 2pm to receive the parcel. Whilst understanding that problems may occur, regrettably if food cannot be delivered on two consecutive occasions the Foodbank will be forced to withdraw the family from the programme and work with the referring agency to find an alternative family to support. Families will be provided with a dedicated phone number and email address through to contact the Foodbank.
- Which areas will the SUA FB deliver to?
SUA FB will deliver to any address within Stratford and the surrounding area, where residents would normally access Stratford upon Avon Foodbank as their nearest or most appropriate foodbank. Areas covered include:
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- Stratford town
- North to Snitterfield, Wilmcote, Wooten Wawen, Aston Cantlow, Claverdon, and Henley in Arden
- East to Tiddington and Alveston
- South to Long Marston, Lower Quinton and Meon Vale, Newbold and Alderminster
- West to Welford, Bidford, Temple Grafton
- Villages on the Warwickshire/Worcestershire boarder such as Pebworth and Honeybourne
- What about families in Alcester, Shipston, Studley and Wellesbourne?
Please note that families in these areas should consider whether support from a neighbouring foodbank is more appropriate:
Barford, Ettington, Kineton, Lighthorne and Wellesbourne are best served by Fosse Foodbank who operate a delivery service.
Fosse Foodbank
Call 07964412010
https://fosse.foodbank.org.uk/
Alcester and Studley are best served by Arden Foodbank
Arden Foodbank
Call 07733551926
https://arden.foodbank.org.uk/
Shipston and Treddington are best served by Shipston Foodbank
Shipston Foodbank
Call 01608 661210
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ShipstonFoodBank/about/?ref=page_internal
Evesham are best served by Caring Hands Foodbank:
Caring Hands Foodbank Evesham
07721 559387
http://www.chands.org.uk/contact.htm
- Can I still refer to the foodbank in the usual way to ensure families receive a food parcel of tinned and packet items?
Yes of course you can , in fact we would actively encourage all referral partners to refer to us in the usual way so we can ensure clients have access to the full range of support we have available, including our dedicated Citizens Advice South Warwickshire Advisor who will be available to all clients to provide support in income maximisation.
- What happens at the end of the 6 months?
If the programme is shown to be successful SUA FB will consider if there is the opportunity to secure funding to run it again or make it a feature of future work. SUA FB will seek input from referral agency partners to make this evaluation.
- Will deliveries be made on Monday 28th Dec and Monday 5th April?
Currently SUA FB are unsure if fresh food will be available to deliver on these dates, hence giving the 10th May* as the final Monday. However, SUA FB will be working with their suppliers to clarify this situation.
- Will SUA FB need to contact the families during the programme?
Yes, SUA FB will need to contact the families during the programme to ensure deliveries are going to plan and for monitoring purposes. To that end the nomination form includes a statement where the referring partners is asked to confirm that consent has been given for this contact to happen.
*The programme of deliveries will last 25 weeks. However, in order to accommodate Christmas and Easter holiday the current planned end date is Monday 10th May. SUA FB reserve the right to change this date but will commit to ensure each family receives 25 weekly deliveries .
