Not everyone in Windsor and Maidenhead does. That’s why we have Food Banks in both towns...
The aim is to provide food sufficient for three to four days to local families and individuals who would otherwise go hungry. Currently each week we support collectively around 150 families and individuals. Sadly demand is increasing and supplies aren’t keeping up. Supplies come mostly from local residents donating food items, which the charities supplement as necessary from our funds. To make it easy residents can drop in these food items at their local Churches or nominated supermarkets – see links below.
Maidenhead is a larger operation, providing community meals three days a week plus provisions for two homeless refuges and for several school breakfast clubs, so that children are not starting the school day hungry.
We are concerned that, as are other Food Banks in the area, in February the introduction of Universal Credits will see a surge in demand – possibly by 30%, so we want to get our regular supplies boosted now.
Residents are always generous around Christmas time and donations rise. But this year we HAVE to ensure that donations stay high. Regular donations of just one item a week is what we’re after. For ideas of what we need see links below, but tinned meat and fish always welcome.
In addition to providing food parcels people get a warm welcome and a listening ear, and where appropriate are signposted to other agencies or charities.
To ensure that the food reaches the appropriate people, everyone supported by the food banks are referred by independent agencies, such as CAB, social services, various family support charities, churches and schools, who assess people’s situations and issue vouchers for up to a four week period (when they may be re-assessed). The majority of people are supported for a short term (less than three months), to help them through a crisis which may be caused typically by illness or lack of work.
While we are endeavouring to ensure we have sufficient food stocks, we are also concerned that we are not reaching many people genuinely in need of food support, especially through the cold winter months. So if you know of someone locally who is going hungry, please tell them about the Windsor and Maidenhead FoodShares.
If you have time to spare to help us then contact us via our websites or Facebook page.
- Windsor Foodshare: windsorfoodshare.org.uk
- Maidenhead FoodShare: foodshare.today
- facebook.com/windsorfoodbank
- facebook.com/FoodshareMaidenheadFoodbank
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