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Christchurch Food Bank+, Dorset

Christchurch Food Bank+, Dorset2024-12-19T14:22:22+00:00

Christmas Hours

Find all our project open hours over the festive season here.

Project Christmas Hours

Christchurch Food Bank+

Christchurch Food Bank+ is about much more than just food in an emergency. We are passionate about caring for the whole person and so have developed our centre to support, walk alongside you and to provide you with the skills and tools to not just survive but to thrive so that you can live life to the full.

You can obtain a voucher for a food parcel from these referrers or come in and chat with us on your first visit:

  • Citizens Advice or BCP Helpline – 0300 123 7052
  • With You – 161 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1JU, 01202 558855
  • Your child’s school, doctor’s surgery. Health Visitor or church office
  • Family Partnership Zone, children’s and youth centre, The Pantry and the Arc – all in Somerford
  • Adult and children’s social services
  • Sovereign Housing, your Housing Officer
Find out how your support has helped the Food Bank to bring hope to our local community in our latest annual review.
Read our Annual Review
Find out more about Christchurch Food Bank+ in the short video below.

Need help?

Christchurch Food Bank+

Open:
Tuesdays, 10am – 12pm
Thursdays, 11am – 1pm
Fridays, 2pm – 4pm
Mondays, 10am – 12pm for donations only
**Outside open hours and for our other projects, please call the number below and leave a message.

07587 371088 or 07536 983678

The Old Chapel, 67a Purewell, Christchurch, BH23 1EH

Help and support at Christchurch Food Bank+

Food

We provide emergency food for when you need it and as long as you need it, including fresh fruit and vegetables when available.

Anyone can access the Food Bank however will need to ask for a voucher from one of the referrers listed above.  Any difficulties in requesting a voucher, please speak with us. 

There are also Family Lunch Bags including toiletries, pet food etc. The Holiday Hunger scheme provides extra food, fresh fruit and vegetables for those in receipt of free school meals and families on a low income – vouchers are administered through local schools.

Home Equip

The Home Equip turns an empty property in to a home and safe space for families and those escaping domestic violence. Through funding and community donations we are able to supply cups to cookers, beds to baby items, to a whole home of furniture.  Email us if you want to donate items*.
*Please select Christchurch Food Bank+ from the subject drop down menu

This project works on a similar basis to the Food Bank – referrals come from the local housing department at the council, social services, the family and children’s centre, schools and churches.

Contact Us

Homeless

For those on their journey out of homelessness we provide: food, hot meals, clothes, sleeping bags and toiletries. In addition, we provide support with filling in forms, appointments and housing related issues. This enables us, most importantly, to build a relationship and therefore build trust.

We also fund SANI ‘Sponsor a Night In’ which pays for someone rough sleeping to have a night in a bed & breakfast for rest, warmth, a hot shower and to relax.

Social

Feel free to drop in for a cuppa and a chat with one of our team anytime we’re open.

We also run The Community Supper regularly, which brings the community together over a hot meal. This provides an opportunity for those who are on their own or as a family to come together in a safe environment.

And in the school holidays, we produce family activity packs to provide free, fun activities to do as a family, along with a lunch bag to make up a picnic. 

Money: CMA Debt Advice & Budget Coaching & Hardship Fund

Anyone coming to the Food Bank can have a financial health check.  We can assist you with fuel poverty or other hardship, and you can access our free CMA Debt Advice and budgeting service.

This team are affiliated to the national Community Money Advice (CMA) network and are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. CMA provides Budget help (creating a realistic budget, developing money skills) and Debt Advice (creditor negotiation, establishing benefits eligibility, alternative debt solutions).

Faithworks CMA Logo

FCA Logo

Cooking on a Budget & Meal in a Bag

We believe that healthy meals don’t have to blow the budget. We run a four week cooking course that provides practical tips and inspiration on how to shop, cook and eat on a budget.

We also provide Meal in a Bag: a recipe and the ingredients needed to make the meal together as a family.  We love exploring new meal ideas and are happy to pass on new recipe ideas.

Christchurch Food Bank+ FAQs

How do I donate food?2023-07-17T17:14:06+01:00

Registered charity BanktheFood have produced a free App which enables you to receive updates from your local Food Bank. These notifications enable you to know what food items are most needed when shopping in your local supermarket. Simply download the App from Google Play or the Apple Store – for more information see below.

Many local supermarkets have food collection points for the Food Banks.

BanktheFood
How can I support the Food Banks?2023-07-18T10:36:50+01:00

Financial donations to the Food Banks are essential as they enable us to purchase food where we are short of items.

Where does the food come from?2023-07-18T10:38:13+01:00

Most of our tinned and packaged food is donated by the public via collection points within local supermarkets.  Alternatively some donors deliver food items directly to the Food Banks.

Fresh fruit and dairy produce (where available) is purchased with money donated by the public or from small grants.

Do Food Banks only provide food parcels?2023-07-18T10:41:45+01:00

Food Banks supported by Faithworks provide more than just food. Depending on location, they can also offer: cooking on a budget workshops, housing and debt advice, support with your budgeting, support with small household items, signposting to local agencies for advice and support and more,

How many times can a person come to the Food Bank?2023-07-18T10:42:21+01:00

We walk alongside you to ensure that you have enough food and other support, in the medium term, until you are back on your feet.

Can anyone just turn up at the Food Bank for food?2023-07-18T10:43:45+01:00

You need to be referred in order to use a Food Bank. This can usually be done by housing providers, social care agencies, local schools, churches and doctors surgeries.

Christchurch Food Bank+ News & Events

Faithworks Food Poverty Appeal

Urgent Appeal

Join our food poverty appeal campaign today. We want to see an end to all types of food poverty in the UK.

No one person should suffer the anxiety of food poverty. For just £5 a month you can support a family.

I want to support Christchurch Food Bank+ today

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