Food banks are such an important resource for our communities, as unfortunately for various reasons, there are people who struggle to make ends meet.

Being civic-minded and active in the community is such a good thing to do, and even the smallest acts of kindness make a difference to the families in your town who may be in need of some extra support to put food on the table. It’s an alien concept for many of us, the thought of being unable to put food on the table, but sadly it’s a reality for many mummies and daddies out there.

This is why we need to support our food banks!

Nourishing families helps to keep them healthy and pushing on past the hardship they’re currently going through; remember, it can happen to ANY of us. Redundancy, illness, mental health problems, the list is endless and all of them can contribute to a family being unable to put food on the table.

Boosting morale by donating to your food bank could make so much difference to someone in your community who is struggling!

Where can I access a food bank?

If you’re finding yourself struggling, you may be eligible for a food bank voucher. Not everyone is eligible, so you will need to be referred by a doctor, health visitor, the police, a social worker or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

You’ll be able to take three days worth of nutritionally balanced food to sustain yourself and your family. Food banks can also offer advice to families finding themselves in a sticky situation – financial, emotional and practical! This is yet another example of why food banks are such fabulous resources for the community.

How can I donate to my local food bank without causing myself financial strain?

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make a difference with a donation to a local food bank! Some ideas we’ve spotted…

If you’ve never done an online shop at a specific supermarket, check to see if they do a money off deal for first time customers. This means you could do your normal weekly shop and then an extra small shop on top of this for no extra cost.
With any extra money you may have after your budget each week, buy a few supermarket branded tins and packets. You’d be surprised how much you can get for a few pound!
Regularly go through your cupboards and donate anything you don’t think you’ll need.

What sort of food is best to donate to the food bank?

The Gregory Pennington food bank guide is really useful for anyone interested in food banks; they advise that the following items are donated if you’re putting together a package…

You can buy all of these cheaply too! This week I’m setting aside £5 alongside my grocery shopping which should cover most of this list.