BOURNEMOUTH FOODBANK
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Mission Statement
Bringing our community together to end hunger and poverty in Bournemouth. At Bournemouth Foodbank, our core objective is to provide those facing crisis with relief in the form of a three day emergency food parcel along with essential toiletries and some fresh produce; much the same as the other foodbanks operating across our country today. We partner with nearly 200 agencies such as Citizens' Advice, local schools, housing associations and partner charities who issue vouchers on our behalf to people in the community who are facing hardship through crisis. This could be because a person is facing debt, homelessness or fleeing domestic abuse among many other reasons. We then work with clients to meet their practical and emotional needs as well as signposting to specialist services and help them out of crisis. However, in 2024 with the cost of living crisis and fuel poverty, we are now seeing new faces through our doors. Those in full time employment who cannot afford outgoings and bills they once could, are entering our services for the first time. In fact, around 70% of our clients are accessing us for the first time through no fault of their own. In the financial year that ended March 2024, the Foodbank alone was accessed 13,040 times, feeding, of which 3,384 were children. We have distributed 91765.89 kg of food through referrals from 221 agencies and care professionals from the town and towards other local food banks and agencies throughout the town. We have seen an 80% increase in demand for our service in five years.
About This Cause
Bournemouth Foodbank comprises of 5 food distribution hubs within its network of service provision: Our main site at St George’s Methodist Church, LifeHouse Bournemouth Community Church, City Gate community hub, Castle Coffee, and St. Mikes Hub. The St George’s Methodist Church building is our charity’s largest site and serves as our charity’s Distribution Centre, Food Warehouse, a thriving Community Hub, Training Café, and a Baby Bank. The Bournemouth Foodbank’s Food Distribution Centre and Food Warehouse plays a vital role without which we could not carry out our core frontline activity of food provision. Activities such as accepting food donations, processing, weighing, sorting, storing, transporting and distributing parcels all take place within this area of the Food Distribution Centre and Food Warehouse. To put it simply and frankly, the Food Distribution Centre and Food Warehouse are the heart of our charity and food provision services. Without funding for these, the charity in its entirety could not function or exist. In addition to the aspect of food provision, the Food Distribution Centre and Food Warehouse support around 200 volunteers with meaningful roles. We consider our Distribution and Warehouse Volunteering to be an important community offering whereby those who are lonely, isolated and without family may feel that they are part of a caring community. Within our charity, we also provide: Community Hub + Resource – The St George’s Methodist Church building is Bournemouth Foodbank’s largest site and acts as a sanctuary of calm and warmth where anyone from the community can sit, reflect, find peace and access support services. The building is home to several health charities and is used by several church groups and support groups such as a ‘Recovery Café.’ Financial Support + Advice – In partnership with other charities we provide financial, debt and benefits advice as well as mental health advice. Our aim is to address food poverty at the cause. Baby Bank - Our Baby Bank, named ‘Bundles That Love’, provides emergency supplies to families in crisis from pregnancy/baby to 5 years old. Supplies include nappies, formula milk, baby food, clothing, cots/beds, prams and more. Last winter many families couldn’t afford winter coats and winter shoes for their children - these were our most needed items. Demand on this specific service has quadrupled in just the space of a year. Training Opportunities - Our Training Cafe provides professional facilities to support people with upskilling and employability courses in order to address the root cause of poverty. Our kitchen and café is staffed by wonderful volunteers who are keen to enter the hospitality industry. Free Hot Food & Hot Drinks in Café - Our café provides a warm space with hot food and drinks to those in need. With the Cost of Living Crisis, many people are anxious to cook and avoid using their electricity and gas. As part of project, we supported over 2000 people with regular free hot meals as part of social community events. This service is for all those collecting food parcels, but we also deliver a ‘social canteen’ every Friday evening. Individuals and families can pay by donation for a hot meal in a warm space, and enjoy the experience of eating out sat across a dining table which to some families is now a luxury they cannot afford.