Foodbanks aim to provide parcels with three days nutritionally balanced food and a box of fresh fruit and vegetables for people in crisis and also to support them with the under-lying causes of their situation to give them dignity, hope and choice for the future, where they can be financially independent and not have need of the foodbank.
How do foodbanks work?
Every day people in our area go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.
1 Food is donated
Schools, churches, businesses (including suprmarkets) and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a foodbank.
2 Food is sorted and stored
Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Over 40,000 people across the UK give up their time to volunteer at foodbanks.
3 Professionals identify people in need
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
4 Clients receive food
Foodbank clients take their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies, such as Citizens Advice Rural Cambs, able to solve the longer-term problem.
How do I get a foodbank voucher?
You need to contact an agency to get a voucher. Please note that, in our area, there is guidance stating we can only offer clients 3 foodbank vouchers within a 6 month period, barring exceptional circumstances. Please do take that into consideration if you have had previous foodbank support and require further help.
Agencies we work with include: us – Citizens Advice Rural Cambs, housing support officers, Child and Family Zones, health visitors, social services and some local charities.
If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
Please call 0808 278 7807 (Free Phone) to speak to a representative who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher if necessary.