About
How food banks work
Providing emergency food to people in crisis.
As a nation, we know it isn’t right that anyone should be left hungry or living in extreme poverty. But whilst we work for long-term change, our network of food banks provides emergency food and compassionate, dignified support to people locked in crisis.
Food is donated
Non-perishable, in-date food is donated by the public at a range of places, such as schools, churches, and businesses, as well as supermarket collection points.
Food is sorted and stored
It is then sorted into emergency food parcels by more than 28,000 volunteers nationally, to be given to people in crisis.
Food eVouchers
Care professionals such as health visitors, staff at schools and social workers identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher. This means people can receive a food bank parcel of three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food from their local food bank.
Clients receive food
Our volunteers are ready to welcome you when you visit to collect your food parcel.