visiting the foodbank

Before you arrive

 

Before you come to the foodbank, you will need to obtain an official trussell trust food voucher. Please also bring bags with you, to put your food in and carry home. 

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. The voucher can then be bought to our foodbank and exchanged for a 3-day food parcel. PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH VOUCHER CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE. 

Our foodbank works with a number of different agencies, such as Citizens Advice (Help through Hardship), children’s centres and health visitors. Below is a list of agencies that may be able to provide you with support, and if necessary, issue our vouchers:

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AT THE FOODBANK

Once you have your foodbank voucher, you can come to the foodbank during one of our open times (shown on our homepage). When you arrive, one of our team of volunteers will ask to see your voucher. They will need the voucher referral code, which can usually be found in the top right hand corner. 

The voucher will state how many adults and children are in your family, and one of our team will talk through the food parcel and what you would like in it. 

To give you an idea of what to expect, a typical food parcel may contain the following items (please note that this may vary depending on availability):

  • Pasta/rice/noodles
  • Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
  • Pasta/curry sauce
  • Tinned fruit
  • Jam/peanut butter
  • Rice pudding/custard
  • Tinned tomatoes
  • Cereal
  • Biscuits
  • Squash/juice drink
  • Baked beans
  • Tinned fish (tuna/salmon)
  • Tinned meat (if you eat meat)
  • Soup (meat or vegetable)
  • Tinned Vegetables
  • Tinned Potatoes
  • UHT milk
  • Sugar
  • Toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, toilet roll, shower gel/soap, deodorant
  • Household items such as washing powder or washing up liquid (if available)

There will usually be a 5-10 minute wait for your food parcel. Please bring lots of bags with you, and family members or friends to help you carry the items home. Some people like to bring a suitcase or bag on wheels to make the journey easier.