The Trussell Trust’s foodbank network foodbank presentation | November 26, 2012

“When I left the UK for Ghana, foodbanks were unheard-of. Now I’ve returned [5 years later], they seem to be everywhere.” Local Government Council Officer Summer 2013 Paddy and Carol Henderson – founders of TT (Carol’s parents were Mr & Mrs Trussell and left a legacy) TT is a Christian charity seeking to alleviate poverty in the UK and Bulgaria.

1997- Our Founders register The Trussell Trust Paddy and Carol Henderson – founders of TT (Carol’s parents were Mr & Mrs Trussell and left a legacy) TT is a Christian charity seeking to alleviate poverty in the UK and Bulgaria.

13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy, benefit delay or receiving an unexpected bill on a low income.  Lots of people struggle on low income and it doesn’t take much to push them into crisis.

2000 – Salisbury Foodbank Founded

Five simple steps… Non perishable food is donated by the public Supermarket Collection Days - Schools Churches - Businesses

Volunteers sort and store food All food is weighed in & sorted by date in readiness for distribution

Frontline care professionals give foodbank vouchers to people in crisis Health visitors Social workers Church pastoral workers Doctors surgeries Schools Carers Care Centres Probation Services

Clients exchange their voucher for 3 days of food at the foodbank centre

Foodbanks take time to listen and signpost clients to further support Through an informal chat over a warm drink volunteers can: Offer a listening ear Assess further needs the client may have Signpost to a range of support services in the borough Distribute relevant information Offer to pray with the client

2004 - Foodbank Network is launched Teaching and equipping churches and communities nationwide how to start their own foodbank

Growth highlights 2010 – 50th foodbank launched To date – Over 420 foodbanks

Growth highlights

“Untruths” The Trussell Trust foodbanks … … are a Tory initiative to allow reduced welfare spending … are a Labour tool for attacking the current administration … are evangelically Christian in motivation … have seen growth because they offer a free resource … are a business … feed people who are necessarily local or even from the UK … are the resort of the work-shy, feckless and chaotic

Opportunities for Branch Welfare Officers Get the contact details & venues of local foodbanks Where referrals are expected: Register with the food bank & receive vouchers Where referrals are “one offs”: Phone the food bank with client details [client name, address, nature of crisis, number of adults/children] Ask them to issue an emergency voucher Issue up to 3 vouchers per 6 months; more by prior agreement

Any Questions?

Any Questions?