We have scores of collection points and have worked with schools, churches, community groups, supermarkets and businesses of all sorts as well as our core of approximately 120 volunteers. From our store, we are able to pack and send out approximately 4
Inspired by and building on the success of the foodbank we are hoping to start new projects that share its characteristics and community building character. We are open to ideas. Have you got an idea we can help with? Please
Who We Are
It all started in 2011 with some cans in a cupaboard. A small group of people saw a growing need for organised emergency food aid in High Wycombe and started trying to help. Within a few months, we had a locker at Big Yellow and had starting working with organisation who work directly with people who are struggling. In 2012 we had grown so much, and needed to stabilise and make the project sustainable so we applied for and became a charity. Now, we’re still a volunteer-led organisation with just one employee, a part time project manager.
We are seeing a huge increase in the amount of people who need emergency food aid – and support over the longer term. We will always support those people our referring partners send to us for food aid, working with them to resolve the crises that lead people to needing help. We never turn anyone away who is referred to the foodbank.
Mission
We are driven by our volunteers –
We are led by and support our community –
Our food parcels contain enough non-perishable ingredients to prepare three meals a day for a week for however many people it is requested for. Sometimes we can include other items such as household items (loo roll, washing up liquid, laundry powder), toiletries, nappies and baby milk formula. We provide recipe cards with our bags so recipients can make the food into balanced, nutritious meals. We also are able, when we have the food in store, to meet special dietary requirements.
We rely on donations of money from churches, schools and individuals on a regular basis in order to provide administration and cover the overheads that go into running the foodbank project. We apply for and do receive grants from local authorities and grant-making organisations but receive no statutory funding.
are incredibly important so we can make the foodbank sustainable and plan for future projects. Please consider making a regular donation:
Regular gifts of money are invaluable as they help us plan ahead, to make the project sustainable. We are also grateful for one off donations.
Do you sell or share my details with other charities and organisations.
Can we come along for a day to the foodbank to help?
Yes! During busy times of the year, like our Harvest and Christmas Appeals and during and after food drives, we look for groups of volunteers to help us sort donations and staff stalls at supermarkets. If you are looking for an experience day we are likely to ask if you will run a food drive to collect food or money for us.
Please note, because we operate a ‘dispersed food bank’ model and because of client confidentiality issues it isn’t always appropriate for non-regular volunteers to join the food parcel distribution operation but there are plenty of other ways to help!
