RHONDDA FOODBANK was opened in December 2009 in partnership with Acts Community Church and the Trussel Trust.
In our first two months the Rhondda Foodbank has fed 117 households with an emergency food hamper containing 3 days of balanced meals. Our referal network of partnering agencies keeps growing every week.
Purpose of the Project
To distribute emergency food aid to individuals and families in short term crisis.
The Food
Tinned and dried food items are collected by members of the public, charities, churches, schools and businesses and stored for future distribution. Workplace collections are a key part of how our supplies are maintained.
The Clients
Clients are individuals and families who have suffered a crisis resulting in the inability to purchase food for themselves or their families. The crisis is caused by a sudden change in personal circumstances. Some of the most common causes are: Cut or delay in benefit, refused crisis loan, delayed wages, debt, homelessness, low income, unemployment, domestic violence and sickness. The clients are referred to the foodbank by partner distributors such as local authority agencies and local care professionals who hold emergency food vouchers. Although long term assistance is provided by local care agencies, there is usually a gap between the client making first contact with the agency and the client’s urgent needs being met. The purpose of the foodbank is to address this short term crisis until agencies are able to deal with the root cause.
The Distributors
Organisations and agencies with face to face client contact act as distributors, holding emergency food vouchers which they can give to clients in short term crisis. Distributors working with foodbank projects in Wales include: benefits offices, social services departments, health visitors and organizations such as Action for Children, homelessness charities and domestic abuse services. The foodbank is an integral part of the service provided by distributors to their clients. Many distributors find the foodbank a lifeline and working together with the foodbank, they are able to provide a full service to clients from the first contact through to the client’s case being resolved.
The Foodbank Centre
When the clients arrive in the centre they find a safe, comfortable environment where they can enjoy a hot drink or snack as their food is being collated by the foodbank volunteers. Through an informal chat with the client, foodbank volunteers can assess further needs and signpost clients to appropriate support services.
Volunteers
The foodbank uses the skills of volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities. Volunteers are supported with training and experience with a view to maximizing their employment potential. All volunteers are valued as key members of the foodbank team.
CONTACT RHONDDA FOODBANK on 07928451374 or email us at foodbank@actscommunitychurch.co.uk
