Elmbridge Foodbanks
Elmbridge Foodbanks Welcome Donations
The local foodbanks have been working hard to help people during the coronavirus pandemic, but they rely on support from the community. If you would like to support your local foodbank, please see details below of how to make a donation.
Donating To Foodbanks
There are a number of ways you can support your local foodbank during the coronavirus pandemic:
- If you would like to donate food, please check the website of your local foodbank for details of their most needed food items and for locations of their food donation points.
- Foodbanks welcome assistance in the form of financial donations, which can either be made through the individual food banks or centrally.
- Centrally, a financial donation can be made to the Trussell Trust, who look after more than 1,200 food bank centres across the UK.
They provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis.
Make a one-off donation to the Trussell Trust; or
Text TRUSSELL then your amount (eg TRUSSELL 5) to 70085
Walton & Hersham Foodbank
Temporarily closing distribution centres due to Coronavirus.
Those in need of food will need to contact their referral agency for alternative arrangements.
Referring agencies are collecting the food by appointment before distributing it directly to their own clients.
Any exceptional cases will be dealt with as they arise.
The Walton & Hersham foodbank covers all of Walton, Hersham, and some of Weybridge but there are no defined borders as we will help anyone who needs it regardless of where they live. Runnymede foodbank have started a two hour session in St James Church once per week but we look after Weybridge clients the rest of the time and have close links with lots of businesses, schools and churches in Weybridge.
See the Walton & Hersham Foodbank page for more information.
Runnymede Foodbank (Servicing Weybridge)
Tel: 01932 838 383
During the Covid-19 response, Runnymede Council, working in partnership with the Runnymede Foodbank, are taking all calls for Runnymede and Weybridge Foodbank requests.
Operating a full doorstep delivery service to all foodbank clients (i.e. those in financial distress with no money to buy food).
Please note the Runnymede and Weybridge distribution centres are currently closed until further notice and all requests for Foodbank support are handled by Runnymede Council who will be able to make a referral on your behalf.
Please note Walton & Hersham Foodbank also support Weybridge families.
See the Runnymede Foodbank website for supermarkets which are still collecting food donations on their behalf.
Cobham Foodbank
Tel: 01932 450282
Covering Cobham, Oxshott, Stoke D’Abernon, Downside, Effingham and the Horsleys.
Distribution centre (United Church) remains open to the public, opening on Tuesdays from 12pm – 1.30pm.
However, Government guidelines surrounding social distancing are implemented for those visiting the site.
Discretionary delivery will only be made available for vulnerable individuals.
Please check the Cobham Foodbank website for help and all relevant updates.
East Elmbridge Foodbank
Tel: 07908 777475 and info@eastelmbridge.foodbank.org.uk
Operating a full doorstep delivery service to all foodbank clients (i.e. those with no money to buy food only).
The Esher and West Molesey Foodbank centres are now closed until further notice.
Please contact a referring agency (e.g. Citizens Advice, Home School Link Worker, local Church, etc.) for a referral which will be done by email.
See the East Elmbridge Foodbank page for more information.
How To Get Help
DURING THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS WE ARE TEMPORARILY CHANGING THE WAY WE DISTRIBUTE FOOD AND ARE CLOSING OUR CENTRES.
Please contact your referral agency to make alternative arrangements to receive a food parcel.
Here are some useful links to local services during the Corona Virus crisis.
THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO GET A FOODBANK VOUCHER.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.
1. Get In Touch With Us.
If you call or email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.
2. Arrange A Visit To The Referral Agency.
They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
3. Bring Your Foodbank Voucher To Your Nearest Foodbank Centre (But Check Not Closed Due To Covid-19).
You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here.
It is very helpful if you can bring some shopping bags with you to take the food home in.
When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.
If you have any further questions our FAQ’s page may help, or feel free to give us a call.
How A Foodbank Works - Sourcing & Storing Food
FOOD IS DONATED
All food given out is donated, whether by schools, churches, businesses, individuals, or through supermarket collections.
Such collections engage the public at supermarkets where they are met by volunteers who offer shoppers a ‘foodbank shopping list’ and ask them to buy an extra item with their shop. This food is then collected at the checkout before being taken to the foodbank warehouse.
FOOD IS SORTED AND STORED
At the warehouse, food is sorted by volunteers according to type and ‘best before date’. They also check it is undamaged (and that it can be used in a food parcel) and pack it into boxes and store it, ready for use. Food is then taken to foodbank centres, where it is made up into food parcels for clients.
How A Foodbank Works - Helping Clients
FRONTLINE PROFESSIONALS IDENTIFY PEOPLE IN NEED.
Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau staff, welfare officers, the police and probation officers, amongst others, identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
CLIENTS RECEIVE FOOD.
Clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be exchanged for three days supply of emergency food. Food parcels have been designed by dieticians to provide recipients with nutritionally balanced food.
Some foodbanks also run a delivery service, which takes emergency foodboxes to clients living in rural areas and those who cannot get to a foodbank.
CLIENTS ARE SIGNPOSTED TO FURTHER SUPPORT.
Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies who can help resolve the longer-term problem. As foodbanks are an emergency food-provision service, it is important to get clients in touch with organisations who can help them address the underlying problem.
What's In A Food Parcel?
Our foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.
The Trussell Trust has worked with nutritionists to ensure food parcels contains sufficient nutrition for at least three days worth of healthy, balanced meals for individuals and families.
A TYPICAL FOOD PARCEL INCLUDES:
- Breakfast cereals
- Long life milk
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Pasta sauce
- Tinned beans
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Long life fruit juice
- Tea or coffee
- Biscuits
- Snacks
We also offer ‘extras’ such as toiletries, cleaning products, pet food and feminine hygiene products.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Our foodbank can usually adapt your food parcel to meet your dietary needs, for example, gluten free, halal or vegetarian.
When you arrive at the foodbank centre, a volunteer will chat to you about an special dietary requirements you may have.
Become A Sponsor Or Partner
IF YOU ARE A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT SHARES OUR BELIEF THAT NO-ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY IN OUR LOCAL AREA, WE’D LOVE YOU TO HEAR FROM YOU.
There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering as a team building activity to sharing your expertise.
To find out more about getting involved please contact us.
Thank you!
