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

4,700 three day emergency food supplies given to people in crisis so far in 2020

Epsom & Ewell Foodbank are so thankful ...

• For all offers of support, volunteers and resources which have been made available.
• The many amazing feedback messages from people who are so grateful for what they are receiving.
• For food given from many stores, including lots of fresh produce, eggs, fruit and vegetables.
• For kindness that has been evident in so many places, including new street collections and donations as well as support for the Crowdfunder campaign they launched, that has so far raised more than £10,000 to help with their increased costs.
• For the community support that means so much, in practical ways, in financial ways, in being interested in what they are doing and being alongside them in that.

Quickfacts:

• In April 2019, The Foodbank fed 386 people.
• In April 2020, The Foodbank fed 1,035 people.

The foodbank team thank us all for recent donations. They would be grateful to receive any of the following items (updated 26 July 2020):

Items most urgently needed: Washing tabs/ powder/ liquid (small bottles) Washing-up liquid Items currently running low Biscuits Ketchup Brown sauce Sugar (small bags please) Long-life fruit juice Tinned sweetcorn/ vegetables Cooking sauces (no alcohol) Long-life sponge puddings Custard Powdered milk Shaving gel

 

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

 

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