About
About our foodbank
Here is an introduction to our project.
Primary Focus
Slough Foodbank believes that no one in the community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days worth of nutritionally balanced, emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in food poverty crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Financial inclusion project with Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Citizens Advice workers run confidential sessions at the Foodbank’s Distribution Centres. This partnership project looking at financial inclusion is a long-term approach, helping people get the advice they need so they can reduce their reliance on crisis support, including the use of foodbanks, as their financial situation improves.
Many people who find themselves in food poverty crisis and need to use a foodbank have underlying issues relating to benefits, debt, low income, discrimination at work, housing, homelessness or ill health. Having trained advisers from Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB) dedicated to offering advice and information related to these areas is of enormous benefit ensuring that clients are getting all the support possible to help them out of food poverty.
Signposting & Campaigning
In addition to providing food, we try, by means of signposting and monitoring and discussions with the supporting referrer to give a helping hand through a crisis. This is not long-term support nor a long-term solution, we need to see the government put a long-term solution in place. We would like to see a future where foodbanks are no longer needed and so we continue to help raise the profile of food poverty and lobby for those who are in need.
No one should be forced to turn to a charity because they can’t afford food. We are supporting the campaign for a #GuaranteeOurEssentials – further information is available on the Trussell Trust website.
Slough Foodbank
Slough Foodbank is an independent charity supported by lots of churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.
Our mission is: To serve with compassion, motivated by Christian principles, those in food poverty in Slough and the surrounding area by providing practical support of food, toiletries and fuel and tackling the root causes of poverty through signposting, projects and partnerships.
- Slough Foodbank is an independent Charity (CIO) run by a Project Board of 6 trustees plus a manager
- Around 200 professional agencies assess and refer people to Slough Foodbank
- 5 Distribution Centres – open 6 times per week
- Warehouse and office at Montrose Avenue courtesy of Segro (Rent Free)
- About 130 volunteers, including 6 key supporting roles. It takes 85 volunteers to operate Slough Foodbank each week.
Slough Foodbank Facts
Slough Foodbank opened in 2010, and since opening there has been an increase in demand and need for emergency food parcels.
11,300 Three-day emergency food supplies given to local people in
crisis last year, up 21% since 2022
5,098 Referrals fulfilled in 2022 which helped:
4,129 Children
7,171 Adults
217 Average food parcels per week