As part of my #40for40 I visited Poole Food Bank to have a chat with one of the lovely ladies who works there to find out what they do to help local families in need.  I’d collected a few food items beforehand and a really nice Mum from school also gave me a bag to take so I arrived with a box of donations and was welcomed inside. 



The food bank I visited is based at Longfleet United Reformed Church and it’s run by a very friendly group of staff and volunteers who are organised and ready to help.  There’s tables set up ready for families or individuals to take a seat while a parcel is being prepared for them.  I was invited to have a look around and was astonished at how generous local people are with the amount of donations that they had in storage.  Although this looked like a large amount to me they are still needing regular donations to meet the high demand.



Referrals for the food bank can come from many places including doctors, health visitors, a church, Poole housing, a women’s refuge or a children’s centre.  The number of parcels which are given out vary through the year but a family arriving with a voucher will always receive a 3 day parcel which contains enough food for breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh fruit and vegetables available to take if there is any there on the day.

If yourself or an organisation would like to donate to a Food Bank then please note that most items must have a 'use by' date of six months or over.  An example of foods which are gratefully received are tinned food, cereals, sugar, pasta, pasta sauces, biscuits, tea/coffee, UHT milk and snacks.  If you have any questions or would like to enquire about opening times then please check out the Facebook page or give them a call on 01202 669566.

Thank you to Poole Food Bank for welcoming me and allowing me to see what you all do.  You have a wonderful team there and I thank you all for everything you do for local families.

#7of40

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Just before Christmas I saw a post on the Hope For Food facebook page requesting donations for the homeless plus children’s gifts which would go into hampers to help local families who may be struggling.  I had a little think about what I could do and decided to make a boxful of festive stocking filler bags for the kiddies to open at Christmas.

Hope For Food is a wonderful charity which tries to bring a little happiness back into the lives of people who perhaps, through no fault of their own, find themselves without things most of us take for granted, such as food and shelter.

The charity which is based in Bournemouth have four soup kitchens per week on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening and they also have a stock of food items, clothes, shoes and bedding which have been donated by their supporters.

The small but loyal team of dedicated volunteers serve between 65 and 85 clients each session with their principle aim being to ensure that the homeless and disadvantaged people in Bournemouth get some hot food and drinks each week, throughout the year, whatever the weather. 

In addition to the above they also hand out regular hampers to local families that may be struggling.

If you would like to know more or feel you may be able to donate something then please do visit the Hope For Food website or facebook page.

UPDATE – January 2019
I read on the Hope For Food facebook page that a Mum and her children arrived at their soup children one evening and explained that through no fault of their own they had been made homeless.  They had a place to stay for the night and I was astounded by what the community had accomplished by the morning as they had raised money for them and ensured they had donations of food and clothing.  I knew I didn’t have much to give them but I bought a few extra bits whilst food shopping and made up a hamper for the charity to deliver when they could.  I really hope it made the family smile.  

#18of40

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