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About us
Who we are
Doncaster Foodbank – a brief summary
Doncaster Foodbank is a Christian charity that has partnered with the Trussell Trust, a UK wide food bank network whose experience and expertise in this area has led to the establishment of food banks throughout the UK. Not all those involved are church members but they must display willingness to support and promote the Christian values of Doncaster Foodbank. The food bank has been open since September 2013 and provides free short term emergency non-perishable food to people in crisis. Food parcels provide a family or individual with a minimum of three days’ supply of nutritionally balanced food.
Food is donated
Food given out is donated by schools, churches, businesses and individuals or through supermarket collections. Such collections engage the public at supermarkets where they are met by volunteers who offer shoppers a ‘food bank 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 food bank warehouse. Our partnerships with our local Greggs, Tesco and Asda stores enable us to provide some surplus fresh food alongside the tinned and packaged foods. As well as providing emergency food, Doncaster Foodbank provides essentials like washing powder and toiletries. When we are low on certain food types we use donated funds and grants to top up our stores.
Food is sorted and stored
At our warehouse, food is sorted by volunteers. 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 our food bank centres in our own van, where it is made up into food parcels for clients.
Frontline professionals identify people in need
Every client is referred by one of over 70 Doncaster frontline care professional agencies, such as Doncaster Council, Citizen’s Advice, family hubs, school liaison officers, probation officers, health visitors, housing and mental health teams as well as social workers. They identify people in crisis and issue them with an electronic food bank voucher code.
Clients receive food
Clients bring their voucher code to a food bank centre where they can collect three days’ supply of emergency food. Food parcels have been designed by dieticians to provide recipients with nutritionally balanced food. Foodbank centres are hosted by other organisations. Currently there are three centres; St James Church, Balby; St Pauls Church, Wheatley, and the Holmescarr Centre, Rossington.
Clients are signposted to further support
Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea and a bite to eat. They are able to signpost people to agencies who can help resolve the longer-term problem. As food banks are an emergency food-provision service, it is important to get clients in touch with organisations who can help them address the underlying problem. We have a representative from Citizens Advice Doncaster present at all sessions to help clients with all types of issues.
Foodbank Structure
The charity has a board of trustees who give their time to ensure that the Foodbank has a level of control over its activities which are in line with the requirements of the Charities Commission.
Trustees have appointed a Project Manager who is responsible for the operation of the Foodbank. Reporting to the Project Manager are a Warehouse Manager and a Project Administrator. All other roles are undertaken by volunteers.
Ethos
Doncaster Foodbank is non-judgemental and inclusive, providing assistance to people of all backgrounds and all faiths or none who are found to be in genuine need. This community project at its heart is about Doncaster people helping other Doncaster people in crisis. Our food bank is run by the community for the community.
