The Somer Valley Foodbank has highlighted the important work being done in the Somer Valley by dedicated volunteers, following the recent release of research by The Trussell Trust.
Over the last year, 60 local people have volunteered at the foodbank to help stop people going hungry.
Most volunteers sit in foodbank sessions meeting and talking with people who are referred to the foodbank by a local agency for help, but there also are many volunteers working behind the scenes too.
Additional tasks include stock-taking, fundraising, picking up food donations, inputting data, collecting in supermarkets, handling the foodbank’s website and social media, and many more.
The work of the foodbank’s volunteer force is crucial to stopping local people going hungry.
Over 1,507 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Somer Valley Foodbank during 2016-17, compared to 1402 in 2015-16. Of this number, 621 went to children.
The top three reasons for foodbank referral were low income (28%), benefit delay (22%) and debt (20%).
Somer Valley Foodbank is a member of The Trussell Trust network. Due to a number of factors, such as cold weather and high energy bills (particularly for customers on pre-payment meters); and foodbanks working with their referral agencies to ensure people who are likely to hit crisis during the festive period have food ahead of Christmas Day, many foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network see a spike in demand during the lead up to Christmas.
Anyone interested in volunteering at Somer Valley Foodbank is encouraged to contact the team via their website: www.somervalleyfoodbank.org.uk
Paul Woodward, the Sommer Valley Foodbank Manager, said: “The emergency food our foodbank provides gives people the breathing space needed when they’re hit by something unavoidable, like redundancy, illness or a delayed benefit payment, and there’s no money for food. But what is just as important as the food is the warm welcome our foodbank volunteers give.
“Local people across the Somer Valley area are all working hard in our foodbank to create non-judgmental environment which helps people feel at ease. Our volunteers offer cups of tea, a listening ear, and are all trained to signpost people towards organisations that can best help them address the underlying reasons for their referral.
“Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t stop local people going hungry – thank you to each and every one of you.”
Samantha Stapley, Operations Director for The Trussell Trust, said: “It’s astonishing to see a value put to the amazing and tireless work done by foodbank volunteers up and down the UK. It’s a testament to the power and generosity of communities.
“Without them, foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network would not have been able to give nearly 1.2 million emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year. And without this vital community support hundreds of thousands of people would be hungry, and with nowhere to turn.
But it is equally important to remember that whilst foodbank volunteers do inspiring work, they cannot replace the welfare safety net.
“Issues with benefit payments remain the main reason why people need a foodbank parcel, and with issues caused by Universal Credit increasingly reported by foodbanks as a concern, we urge the Government to take steps to make sure people don’t face going hungry in the UK today.’
Despite generous donations of food and time by volunteers, there are many hidden costs to run the foodbank.
These include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances.
The foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at somervalleyfoodbank.org.uk or by emailing [email protected].