With the increasing number of people who find themselves needing basic grocery supplies the foodbank initiative is an exciting opportunity to serve people.

Epsom and Ewell Churches opened a food bank towards the end of 2012 and in the ensuing 12 months they fed 1679 people (948 adults and 731 children), prayed for 90% of them, issued 662 vouchers (401 via Epsom CAB, their biggest distributor), opened three distribution centres, trained over 135 volunteers, collected over 26 tonnes of food, worked with over 65 local agencies, talked with 1,000's of people about the work and raised enough money to survive!

November 2017 was their five year anniversary and in that time they have fed nearly 12000 people, providing 160 tonnes of food and giving 200 hours of volunteering a week. They also offer furniture, cooking courses, counselling, support and signposting to other agencies.

They are always looking for volunteers and food donations. Please look at the information available in the atrium and on the websites www.trusselltrust.org or www.epsomewell.foodbank.org.uk if you would like to know more.

You can watch a video about the work of the food bank on YouTube.

What to bring - our general 'wanted list' of long life, in date food is as follows:

Tinned or long life sponge puddings Tinned potatoes Tinned fruit Tinned pies Ketchup/ brown sauce Honey/ jam/ chocolate spread Treats Biscuits

Shampoo/ conditioner Soap Feminine products Baby toiletries/ food Dried rice Sugar Condiments - small size oil, salt, pepper, mixed herbs, vinegar

The foodbank resource centre continues to be busy and they are in short supply of the following, all of which are URGENTLY needed (as at end of September 2019):

Long-life fruit juice (very urgent) Tinned fruit (very urgent) Dried powdered milk (very urgent) Cereal (not porridge) Tinned vegetables Tinned spaghetti Long life sponge puddings Bottles of fruit squash Instant mash Noodles

Baby shampoo Custard UHT Milk (green & blue only) Shaving foam Washing-up liquid Clothes washing powder/ liquid Treats (chocolate, sweets, crisps, etc.) Nappies (size 6 only) Hair conditioner Tinned fish (not Tuna)

 

Heavy duty carrier bags/ bags-for-life are also required for their clients.

The following are NOT required at this time: baked beans, tinned soup or pasta.

 

You may also wish to consider either a monetary donation to enable the Foodbank to continue supporting local people in crisis, or a gift card to be given to people using the Foodbank.

Many thanks for your support