The West Northumberland Food Bank was launched in May 2013 to address rising food poverty in the area. It has since distributed over 1,600 food bags to help at least 222 adults and 168 children in 195 households cope with issues like redundancy, illness, welfare reforms and unexpected bills. The food bank operates by collecting donated food, packing it into three-day supply bags, and distributing the bags through a network of centers with help from partner organizations and volunteers. It aims to expand its services while helping recipients become less dependent through advocacy and cooking courses.

1. FOOD POVERTY
in West Northumberland
Redundancy, illness, Welfare Reform and
unexpected bills. Rising costs and falling incomes.
These are just some of the reasons why people
are struggling to put food on the table in our
communities and neighbourhoods.
It can happen to anyone but,
Together, we can make a difference!

2. Launched 29th May 2013
1600 Food Bags distributed so far!
How do we do it?
Tinned and dried food is donated
by local people though
Supermarkets, Churches, Schools
and Community Groups
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Partner Organisations provide
volunteers to take deliveries, sort
and pack Food Bags twice a
week at our Food Bank Store at
Adapt

3. So far we have helped at least 222 adults and
168 children in 195 households
How do we do it?
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 A Food Bag is packed with enough dried and canned food
to provide one person with three meals a day for three
days.
 A Food Bag is also packed with a leaflet signposting people
onto organisations that can provide advice and support

 Food Bags are distributed through a network of over 30
Distribution Centres and agencies throughout West
Northumberland.
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4. Why do we do it?
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Last year we saw about 50% of people needing our help were
‘the working poor’ struggling on low wages as the cost of living
went up
Since January we have seen a shift as tougher benefits regimes
are pushing unemployed Job Seekers into extreme hardship,
and now around 70% of the people we help are feeling the
impact of Welfare Reforms
Sanctions are the removal of benefits for 4-6 weeks in most
cases but up to 3 years for some. No money, no food, no
heating for weeks or months on end, and with very few places
to go for help apart from the Food Bank.

5. Families in need
 168 children many under 5 years old
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 4 Surestart Children’s Centre in our network of Distribution Centres
 Children’s Services, 608030 and No28 all support families in need
Demand doubled last summer holidays
We expect it to triple this summer

6. What we plan to do next….
Carry on what we are doing but get better at it by;
Setting up a new Charity and moving to a bigger
premises, as we are a bit pushed for space!
We also plan to help people become less
dependant on the Food Bank through Welfare
Rights Advocacy helping people navigate the
benefits system
And through Eat Well for Less cookery courses

7. Eat Well 4 Less
For people who are struggling to afford to buy enough food
Learning how to prepare tasty, healthy good food that’s not complicated, time
consuming, expensive and you don’t have to switch the cooker on!!
"We should make more soup, sell it from a van and make money for the Food
Bank" (participant)
“I’ve never seen him so engaged" (Stopgap support worker comment about one of
their clients)

8. Our Partners
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 Funders: Isos Housing Ltd, Northumberland County Council, Waitrose Green Token Scheme,
Tynedale Lions and cash donations from Church Congregations and Individuals
 In kind support: Adapt, West Northumberland Children’s Centres and Hexham Community
Partnership. Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury and the Coop
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9. Call or text: 07443 519 852
Email: westnorthumberlandfoodbank@gmail.com
:West Northumberland Food Bank

10. Call or text: 07443 519 852
Email: westnorthumberlandfoodbank@gmail.com
:West Northumberland Food Bank