About
How foodbanks work
We provide emergency food to people in crisis. We provide support to address the underlying reasons for this crisis. We campaign to end the need for foodbanks
Every day people in the UK go hungry. Many face a change in circumstances such as redundancy, relationship breakdown, disability or unexpected costs. Many are simply struggling to get by on low income, welfare benefits and high costs of living. As a nation, we know it isn’t right that anyone should be left hungry or living in extreme poverty. But while we work for long-term change, foodbanks like ours provide emergency food and compassionate, dignified support to people experiencing severe hardship.
Food donations
Non-perishable, in-date food is donated by the public at a range of places, such as libraries, schools, churches as well as supermarket collection points. Food can also be donated online via Bankuet. Large collections from local schools and businesses often take place as part of Harvest Festival and Christmas celebrations. Food is then sorted into emergency food parcels by our volunteers, to be given to people in crisis.
Food Vouchers
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of organisations and care professionals in the community such as doctors, school staff and health visitors to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
Food Parcels
Foodbank clients bring their voucher to their local foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.
Additional Support and Advice
Our volunteers have a conversation to see what additional support we can provide to try and resolve the crisis they are facing, so that hopefully they do not need Foodbank again in future. We partner with Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham to provide advice on benefits, debt, employment, housing and domestic abuse. clients over a hot drink and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.