THE TRUSSELL TRUST FOODBANK NETWORK

The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks and together they provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. The Trussell Trust support more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis, as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face. Between April 2019 and March 2020, food banks in their network have provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year and during the coronavirus pandemic food banks have seen need rise even further.

As a charity The Trussell Trust know that it takes more than food to end hunger. That’s why they have recently launched a five year strategic plan. They know their goal to end the need for food banks is ambitious, but by working Together for Change, they believe it is achievable.

The services we have shown below are provided by food banks, and vary from area to area as they react to the needs of their community. This provides help and support to local people in crisis.

FOOD DONATIONS

Non-perishable, in-date food is donated by the public at a range of places, such as schools, churches, and businesses, as well as supermarket collection points. It is then sorted into emergency food parcels by more than 28,000 volunteers, to be given to people in crisis.

FOOD VOUCHERS

Care professionals such as health visitors, staff at schools and social workers identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher. This means people can receive a food bank parcel of three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food from their local food bank.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Our food bank network helps people break free from poverty by providing additional support to help people resolve the crises they’re facing so that they don’t need to use a food bank again in the future. This could include things like debt advice, mental health support, or benefits guidance. Food banks rely on the support of their local communities to support people in crisis. 

FIND YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK HERE