Ready-to-Go Projects - Foodbanks - Trussell Trust

FOODBANKS
The Trussell Trust

Summary
Starting a foodbank is a great way to help those in crisis in your own community, by providing boxes of nutritionally balanced food and support. The foodbank collects tinned and dried food from the public at supermarkets, churches, schools and other local groups. The Trussell Trust will provide you with a complete toolkit, training and support for running a foodbank project.

Brief Description of organisation
A Christian charity, restoring dignity and reviving hope by launching life- changing community based projects at home and overseas

Start date of Organisation
Charity1997
foodbank 2000
Network 2004

No. of churches/ groups currently supported
69 foodbank projects launched as at Sep10

Brief Description
A foodbank is a simple and unique concept designed to help individuals in crisis by providing free emergency food for 3 days (10 balanced meals), which is the period we assessed as the minimum time it takes for the appropriate welfare agencies to be in a position to assist. This period can be extended if necessary. Food is collected from the public as they shop at supermarkets, from churches, local groups and schools, and this is “banked” in a store. Food vouchers obtained from front line Care Professionals such as Social Services, Health Visitors, Probation Officers, Church Pastoral Workers are exchanged for emergency food at a foodbank centre cafe manned by caring volunteers.

Expected Results
Establised foodbanks can expect to feed up to 3000 people a year, depending on the size of town or borough supported. Clients will share their experience with trained volunteers who can signpost them to additional services to break the cycle of poverty and change lives. Befriended clients often volunteer with the foodbank and find they are loved and valued and many come to Christ.

Advantages to church
The Trussell Trust provides:

A foodbank operating manual in electronic format on CD ROM. This will include all the Flowcharted Processes, Forms and guidance necessary to set up and run a food bank
At least 3 days training for selected project staff, based on the manual, to prepare them to set up the project
Additional project support or training at later stage to eliminate areas of difficulty or to walk through particular processes
A help-line service.

This ensures a very high probability of a successful project run by people with little experience but a good degree of motivation

Services provided by national organisation

Co-ordination of the foodbank Network to share experience and best practice and to provide encouragement and support
An annual quality audit of your foodbank procedures and guidance on development, providing a written report for your Trustees
An annual conference
Standard look and feel resources (banners leaflets etc) at reduced cost
A web-based network forum to share information, fundraising ideas etc.

Financial cost to church
Churches are expected to make a donation (currently £1500) towards Trussell Trust expenses supporting your project and a small annual donation towards the ongoing costs of the network support. Local project costs vary depending on the need to pay staff (P/T) and rent warehouse, cafe area. Estimated annual costs range from £10k to £18k including the donation above.

Non-Financial Requirements for church

Small office with IT and telephone
Food-store/warehouse – year 1 size of single garage
Cafe area – enough for 3 tables with 4 chairs, and small kitchen/coffee making area.
Initial team of about 12 volunteers, some with particular skills like fundraising, admin, coordination etc
As a community project we envisage this being provided by partnering with other local churches so Christians are seen to be working together and no one church has to bear the burden.

Contact Details
Jeremy Ravn, Foodbank Network Manager
The Trussell Trust, St Michael’s Community Centre, St Michael’s Road, SALISBURY SP2 9LE
01722 427110 Jeremy.ravn@trusselltrust.org www.trusselltrust.org