Giving back – Widnes Foodbank
Here at BDL, we wanted to be involved in something that helps give back to our community. Given the current situation surrounding Covid-19 and with so many people finding themselves out of work and with less income, we knew that foodbanks need our help now more than ever.
We are proud and privileged to be able to become a local drop off point for the Widnes Foodbank. By being a drop off point, we are helping to spread the word and generate more food and items that the foodbank desperately needs to continue their amazing work in supporting the local people of Widnes.
About the foodbank network
The Widnes foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks, working to combat food poverty and hunger in our local communities, as well as across the UK.
The Foodbank Network was founded in 2004 after four years of developing the original foodbank based in Salisbury. Since then The Trussell Trust has helped communities work together to launch foodbanks nationwide in a wide range of towns and cities.
In 2019/20, The Trussell Trust’s Foodbank Network provided 1,900,122 three-day emergency food supplies and support to UK people in crisis. Of these, 720,504 went to children.
As a network, they want to see more people helped out of crisis and fewer people needing foodbanks in the future. That’s why The Trussell Trust and local foodbanks are working together to develop new ways to help people out of crisis through programmes like More Than Food.
How do foodbanks work?
The goal for foodbanks is to provide emergency food supplies for people in crisis. Every day in the UK, people are going hungry for reasons including redundancy, receiving an unexpected bill or simply being on an exceptionally low income. Simple food boxes can help make a big difference to those people and with our help, we want to diminish people going hungry in our community.
Food is donated
Schools, churches, businesses, and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a foodbank.Food is sorted and stored
Individuals volunteer to check that the item is in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Over 40,000 people give up their time to volunteer at foodbanks.Professionals identify people in need
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, and the police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.Clients receive food
Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal where they can then signpost people to agencies to solve their longer-term problems.
What items do foodbanks need desperately?
- Washing up Liquid
- Anti-bacterical wipes
- Soap and hand gel
- Nappies (size 4 and over)
- Cat / Dog Food
What items do foodbanks have plenty of?
- Baked Beans
- Milk
- Pasta
How can you access a foodbank?
Whether you need help yourself or know of someone who could benefit from a foodbank, the following simple steps explain how someone can gain access to help.
Get in touch with the foodbank
If you call or email the Widnes foodbank, they will be able to discuss with you your situation and put you in touch with the relevant authorities who will be able to provide you with a foodbank voucher. The contact details for the Widnes Foodbank are at the end of this article.Arrange a visit to the referal agency
This visit is to help you and discuss your situation and supply you with a food voucher.Bring your foodbank voucher with you to your nearest centre.
When you arrive, you will be welcomed with a warm drink and their trained volunteers with chat with you about your situation. They will also consider any dietary requirements and you will exchange your voucher for an emergency 3-day food parcel. They will also help and support you in any other way’s that they can. It is important to remember that these facilities are there to support you. They are a calm and welcoming environment with friendly professional volunteers who are not there to judge, but want to help you and support you where they can.
Widnes Foodbank Locations
Widnes Foodbank Contact Details Widnes Foodbank Office,
c/o Trinity Methodist Church,
Peel House Lane,
Widnes,
Cheshire
WA8 6TJ
Widnes Foodbank Warehouse,Widnes Cemetery Lodge,
Birchfield Road,
Widnes,
Cheshire
WA8 9EE
Telephone: 0151 422 0031
Email: contact@widnesfoodbank.org.uk
Transport Links
Bus Stop (Marzahn Way): 17, 110
Bus Stop (Albert Road): 17, 27, 61, 110
If you have any unwanted items or wish to donate any food, please bring them to us at Unit 2 St Michaels Industrial Estate, Widnes, WA8 8TL. We are here Monday – Friday 8am-4:30pm.
