UK Foodbanks
13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK.
Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. Last year our UK foodbank network fed 41,000 people.
We partner with churches and communities to open new foodbanks nationwide. With over 70 foodbanks currently launched, our goal is for every town to have one.
Desperate times…
‘We had to borrow a tin of soup from next door to stop our
18-month-old daughter from going to bed hungry.’
Ann-Marie, Salisbury Read story
‘If there was no foodbank I’d have to steal something to feed my family.’
Jamie, Andover Foodbank client
Foodbanks help prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. A simple box of food makes a big difference.
All food is donated by the public and sorted by volunteers. Frontline care professionals such as doctors and social workers identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher. Clients receive three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food in exchange for their food voucher. Foodbanks also make time to chat and to signpost clients to other helpful services.
Why do people need emergency food?
Hunger is not just a third world problem. Today people across the UK will struggle to feed themselves and their families. Redundancy, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and paying for heating during winter are just some of the reasons why people go hungry. Read client stories
What’s in a foodbox?
Each foodbox contains a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.
Foodbanks rely on the support of local communities. Click here to help your nearest foodbank in your area?
If there’s no foodbank near you why not find out more about starting a foodbank
Phoenix is the editor of this site and was diagnosed with bipolar twenty years ago. In between 8 periods of illness and hospitalisation she trained as a garden designer and was a awarded an RHS Diploma, gained a first class degree in Cultural Studies and a Certificate in Education that enables her to lecture in Recovery in Mental Health to psychiatric nurse students and mental health professionals at universities.
Phoenix leads a diverse life which she attributes to Wellness Recovery Action Planning and all aspects of Recovery. In the last 2 years she performed stand up comedy. Laughter truly is the best medicine! Now she is concentrating on being involved in improving conditions for inpatients and service receivers trustwide. And training in WRAP, Recovery Star and the new Advanced Statement and some gardening for health. Also with some great new art projects. 
