Stroud District Foodbank was established in December 2011. A member of the Trussell Trust, they work alongside, but are independent of, the Long Table, Kid’s Stuff and the Furniture Bank. Registered charity (no 1176306)
They have three part time paid staff, 7 volunteer trustees, around 150 regular volunteers and another 150 volunteers involved in supermarket collection days.
The food bank relies on the support of the local community through volunteering, food donations and fundraising. All the food is donated by the local community – individually or through collection baskets at churches, schools, supermarkets etc.
The main warehouse is at the Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe Port, where the donations of food – as well as toiletries and household supplies – are gathered, sorted and and stored before being transferred to a network of drop-in centres. Volunteers sort the donations, checking that food is in date, and then pack it into parcels ready to be given to people in need.
Foodbank clients are referred by frontline care professionals such as doctors , health visitors and social workers who identify people in need and can issue them with a voucher for an emergency food parcel – normally enough to supply the family for three days. Special holiday time parcels are also made available.
In ‘normal’ times clients come to one of the drop in centres to collect their food parcel. A volunteer will meet them and, over a warm drink or free hot meal, offer advice and signpost them to other appropriate sources of help. During covid restrictions, volunteers have been delivering food parcels directly to people’s homes.
Collection Basket in St Michael & All Angels Church
Adjacent to the library, the food bank collection basket was generously supported earlier in the year which made it possible to take a delivery once a fortnight to the Stroud warehouse, however contributions to the basket significantly reduced through late spring and summer.
The very real need for this organisation was increased by the serious difficulties presented by Covid and on-going demand for donations remains high. It is encouraging to see how well-run the warehouse is in Stroud and every delivery made from the collection basket is hugely appreciated.
Currently, their store of tea, pasta and cereal is well filled but the list of many other suggested items required is displayed beside the basket and on their website (strouddistrict.foodbank.org.uk). Especially needed at the moment are tinned foods 
as well as non-food items such as toiletries and hygiene products. With winter approaching, all your donations will be particularly appreciated.
You can drop your donations into the basket at any time.
A crisis situation can happen to anyone – and does to far too many.
Please help.
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