Foodbank

The foodbank is a simple but unique concept designed to help individuals and families in crisis by providing 3 days of free, nutritionally balanced, emergency food until such time as other appropriate agencies are in a position to assist. Pioneered by The Trussell Trust a Christian Charity, the project collects tinned and dried food from the public at supermarkets, churches, schools and local groups. This is then given food away to people in crisis as a result of referrals from registered care professionals such as Social Services, Health Visitors, Probation Officers, Church Pastoral Workers and other carers working in the front line. Last year the Salisbury foodbank distributed 27 tonnes of Food and fed over 2900 people. The project also provides a safe working environment for vulnerable people, including those with disabilities, whose lives are transformed by providing valued work alongside Christians.

The Trussell Trust has developed a comprehensive operating manual in electronic format providing a complete toolkit for running a local Food Bank Project which, with minimal training and project support, enables Christian organisations to set up and run their own community foodbank. Using this model 32 new projects have been launched across the UK by churches and charities determined to tackle poverty and exclusion in their towns. The Trussell Trust vision is that “every town should have one”.

More information can be found on their web site www.trusselltrust.org

Last Updated 03 December 2010