About
How foodbanks work
Providing emergency food to people in crisis.
Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference.
Food is donated
Schools, community groups, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a foodbank. Large collections often take place at Christmas and food is also collected at supermarkets.
Food is sorted and stored
Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Nationwide, over 40,000 people give up their time to volunteer at Trussell Trust foodbanks.
Professionals identify people in need
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Increasingly this is an e-voucher that is sent direct to your local foodbank.
Clients receive food
Foodbank clients visit a foodbank centre to collect their food where they will receive a warm welcome from volunteers. Alternatively, for those unable to get to one of our centres, we offer a delivery service. All clients are called by a volunteer and offered support and signposting to agencies able to help address their crisis.