We can react with disbelief, incredulity, but the FLEETWOOD FOODBANK is proving to be a lifeline. And you can blame the government, the schools’ system, benefits’ dependency, absence of mothers’ knees to learn from, super-market advertising & promotions, TV-dinners, unemployment, poor use of personal time, individuals who can’t/wont budget … You are not going to solve overnight these causes for there to be a lifeline. And the FLEETWOOD FOODBANK is that lifeline. If there was no cause for a foodbank there wouldn’t be a foodbank.
The FLEETWOOD FOODBANK has received deserved publicity through ‘The Fleetwood Weekly News’. Reports suggest that the number of hard-up families struggling to put a meal on the table is growing and growing. Families do not ‘just turn up’ at the FLEETWOOD FOODBANK. They are referred to the FLEETWOOD FOODBANK by Sure Start personnel and others. They have identified and verified a family as being in need.
(And, yes, there is an argument from those of us who have ourselves coped through financially difficult times suggesting that help for families on budgeting would not go amiss. There isn’t that help, yet, by the Foodbank so there is a problem with families not coping with their money supply. And, yes, there are the equivalents of the town’s foodbank who also provide financial management advice. This is being provided through Credit Unions (see article elsewhere), Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Citizens Advice Bureaus (CABs) and Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) amongst others who are not in the ‘loan shark’ category.
The FLEETWOOD FOODBANK, which operates twice weekly, on a Tuesday and Thursday, is run by the St Vincent de Paul Society with a team of 20 volunteers. It relies on donations of foodstuffs. Most of the local churches and schools help with donations of:
- Tins of: Corned beef * Stewed steak * Tuna (or any fish) * Hot dog sausages * Beans * Spaghetti * Soups * Tomatoes * Peas * Carrots * Potatoes * Rice pudding * Fruit;
- Packets of: Pasta * Rice * Plain Biscuits; Tea bags * Coffee * Milk (long life, semi-skimmed) * Cereals * Noodles * Bolognaise sauce
What is also surprising to those of us of a certain generation is that there are those of younger generations who do not have the ability to make meals from the foodstuffs supplied to them. The FLEETWOOD FOODBANK is proposing to move beyond food distribution to education in devising menus and food preparation. (It’s unbelievable really but that is the state of things.)
I’m interested in volunteering and /or providing donations of goods. Please advise where to drop off food products and if there are any voluntary positions that need fulfilling.
Many thanks
Kerrie Levett
Hi Kerry,
Thank you for getting in touch. Its nice to see its working. I believe the foodbank is based at st peters church. I will get you the number of the person in charge who you need to ask. We support them as part of churches together.
Many thanks
Karen kennedy
Hi,
The foodbank is now at 219 poulton road( the old welbeck library). There will be someone there on tuesday or thursday from 3.30-5.30pm. You might get more information from St wulstans/st Edmunds churc.
Hope this helps.Good luck
Karen
Hi,
I am organising a collection of good to bring to your food bank with the children from Skool’s out.
Please can you advise us where to send the food to.
Mandy
What a Brilliant service the volunteers provide.
Do you accept toy donations that could be given to families struggling at this time of year? Was going to give to a charity shop but thought of giving directly to you guys? Thanks, rob 🙂
Hi.
The food bank is at the old welbeck library(is it Busy Bees). There will be someone there on a tuesday or a thursday from 5.30 if you would like to take donations in. Alternatively St Wulstand and St Edmunds are the main organisers for it so you should be able to get information from them.
Hope this helps
Karen
Hi,
I would suggest you popping in to speak to them. They are there from 5.30 on a tuesday and thursday evening. The foodbank is based at the old welbeck library which i think is now busy bees. Alternatively if you dont have any luck with them, get back in touch as i have another charity that are desperate for toys for needy children.
Karen
I have about 15 tins that have gone beyond the best before date. are these any good to the food bank or do I just dump them. thanks.
Hi John,
The honest answer is I dont know. If you can get to the old Welbeck Library (now Busy Bees) on either a Tuesday or a Thursday evening then someone there will be able to help
Hope this helps
Karen
Hi I live in Cleveleys and am really struggling I am on ESA could I use the food bank thanks donna
Hi Donna,
The foodbank is held at the mount methodist church in fleetwood. I think there is one in cleveleys maybe at the community centre on beach road if that helps
Thankyou do you know what day and time it is please x