The number of clients has gone back to the 2020 levels and we have not seen the big increase we expected. We have been able to keep up with the demand thanks to the generous donations of local churches, the people shopping in Tesco, schools, individual donors and businesses. However, we had thought that the cost of living crisis had started to have an effect as before Christmas the distribution centres were extremely busy and three centres needed to send for extra food during the session. That seems to have slowed again but Paulton has remained busier than ever. The other centres in Peasedown, Radstock and Midsomer Norton continue to have some clients every week. We are very grateful to all the churches that host us free of charge. This year were able to make a donation to the churches towards the cost of heating and lighting, thanks to a grant from the Trussell Trust.
In total this year we have collected 26,324 kgs of food but we gave out 23,503 kgs; of the food collected, 13,995 kgs came from Tesco and 1978 kgs from Sainsbury’s, the rest was mainly from churches. We have also had several large donations from local businesses. Thanks to the Harvest, Christmas and the 3 Day Tesco collections, our stock levels are very good at the moment. Every Friday the Peasedown centre still gets a donation from the Tesco Express of food near it’s sell buy date which is handed out to clients or sent on to the Fridge at the Hive.
We have fed 2525 people between January and December of this year, 1417 adults and 1108 children. These people were served well by the large number of volunteers in the distribution centres, who turn up when it is their turn on the rota. However, their work is made much easier by the collecting, sorting and delivering carried out by the warehouse teams. Without them the foodbank wouldn’t function at all.
The number of volunteers remains constant with a few retiring but others taking their places. A big thank you to them, for their help and service in the past. We still have 70+ volunteers, so the foodbank continues to serve the needs of the area and whilst we wish there wasn’t a need for the foodbank we recognise we will still be here for a few more years to come!
We also continue to work closely with the 80 or more agencies who issue our vouchers. More schools are now holding vouchers too. The biggest change in this area of our work is that the agencies can now issue electronic vouchers. It also shows how many do not turn up, which is an issue we are monitoring for the future and will be working with the agencies to make sure those that need food, get food.
We have signed an agreement with the Trussell Trust for them to fund 2 part-time Citizen Advice Advisors who will be dedicated to helping clients from the foodbank. It is an initiative with Bath and Keynsham and hopefully that will also commence in 2023. Hopefully I can report on this next year.
We continue to be supported by the Trussell Trust with the data system, advice and guidelines and an area manager who checks in from time to time to ask how things are going, to let us know about recent initiatives and to help us keep going. Their support is very valuable.
Paul Woodward – Project Co-Ordinator.