The Thornbury Foodbank

It is now one year since Thornbury Foodbank opened its doors for the first time. Looking back over the year we have seen the need for the Foodbank grow. In December, after just 24 weeks of operation, we provided an average of 108 meals per week, but over the whole year, this has gradually crept up to an average of 125 meals per week, thus showing a significant increase.

Many of our clients come to Foodbank when there has been some crisis in their lives; benefit changes and delays is a major problem, also domestic violence, debt, low income, unemployment, sickness, homelessness and multiple other reasons.

Of course none of the work of the Foodbank would be possible if it were not for the help and dedication of the many people involved. Thanks are due to all those volunteers who sort, pack and distribute food parcels week by week; the people who listen to our clients and try to help them see a way out of their problems and know whom to refer them to for guidance and help. In addition, many thanks to the 30 Voucher Partners who initially recognise the needs and refer clients to us.

We are greatly reliant on the generosity of the people of Thornbury and the surrounding areas without which we would not be able to operate.

A very big thank you to:

• All those in the community who regularly and generously donate food (8 tonnes in the past year).
• The schools which act as drop-off points where the children have been enthused to write poems and stories whilst learning about Foodbank.

There are many other drop-off points where food can be left safely, including unusual places such as the telephone box in one of our neighbouring villages!

On the 27th June we were very pleased to welcome Steve Webb, our local MP, to the Foodbank when he was able to see it in action, meet with the volunteers and hear about why people need this facility.  He was very encouraging as he commented:  “I’m grateful to the committed local people who help to run the local Food Banks in Thornbury and in Yate. I believe Food Banks play an important role in meeting urgent need, but that we also need to tackle the underlying reasons why people are in such need.  I am working within government to make sure that the administration of the benefit system is streamlined to try to reduce gaps in benefit, and I am also happy to support any constituent personally if they are experiencing problems”.

Of course we do hear of many heart-rending cases, but there are also the successes. One lady promised to come back and support Foodbank when her problems had been solved and she did so!

Unfortunately the need for the Foodbank is not diminishing; over the last 6 months, we have seen an increase of approximately 37% in vouchers issued and food distributed. It would be greatly appreciated to see a commensurate increase maintained in food donations and giving to meet this growing need.

With the UK recession officially over, we hope the upturn in the country’s economic situation will mean there is no further need for Foodbank’s existence. That will indeed be the time to celebrate, but in the interim period, we can make a difference in some people’s lives if we all pull together and do our bit to help.