Annual Review2018 SPEAKING HOPE… TO THOSE IN CRISIS

Matt 25:40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least

of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

A community project supported by Faithworks

We call ourselves Blandford Food Bank+

That “+” sign is important, because though many of our guests just need one parcel to help them out of their crisis, an increasing number are facing longer term challenges. Our staff and volunteers aim to “walk alongside” them on their journey out of crisis. The journey starts when a Guest is given a voucher from one of our referral agencies.

Then we can offer the following:• Food parcels with at least three days’ worth

of balanced, nutritious food• Budget coaching and help with debt (through

Faithworks CMA team)• Holiday Hunger parcels for families who

normally receive free school meals• Links to holiday food and activity clubs• Family holidays for those who cannot afford it• Christmas toys

What is Blandford Food Bank

all about…

¢ ‘Everyone at the Food Bank is so lovely, nothing is too much trouble and they make me feel so welcome… I don’t (want to) have to rely on the Food Bank; (I want to) get on with my life.’Thank you! Once again, Blandford Food Bank+ (BFB+) has played its part in giving hope to those facing all sorts of crises in 2018. We are often asked about the reasons that people come to the Food Bank. It could be: a short-term family crisis, like an illness or a boiler going; a key family member has lost their job; or that even while in work, a lone parent family can’t earn enough to make ends meet. And yes, some are moving on to Universal Credit or other benefits and need help while things are addressed.Whatever the reason, the Food Bank is there to not just give out food, but to say “there is Hope”, and to practically demonstrate that. We hope the following pages give you aninsight into all that goes on here.We would like to say THANK YOU to so many people, without whom we could not exist. Whether you give: food and goods; money; time; invite us to your group; partner with us in helping people or pray for the work…THANK YOU – you helped speak Hope to over 990 people in 2018.Yours in Christ

Pointing you in the right direction

Brook MacCallumChair

Gail Del-PintoManager

Thank you and welcome

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Our year in numbers Our year in stories

Sarah* came to the Food Bank when escaping domestic abuse. Her children had been taken in to care to ensure their

safety. The BFB+ team provided Sarah with food and referred her to Faithworks’ CMA team for a benefits check and budget coaching. Sarah was also signposted to The YouTrust for support with domestic violence and Sovereign Housing Association for support with finding accommodation.BFB+ negotiated a repayment plan with Sarah’s landlord, for an overpayment on benefits. A reduction in £2,000 rental arrears was also agreed with the Housing Association.Sarah grew in confidence and started volunteering at the Food Bank. This volunteer role eventually led to paid employment as Sarah begins a fresh start in life.

Simon* approached BFB+ with over £18,000 of debt, a gambling addiction and a broken relationship. Simon was working part-time however his benefits had been stopped making it impossible to pay off the debt. Simon received food and the creditors were contacted to ensure the threatening letters were stopped. A year later Simon is addressing the issues which caused the debt including engaging with support for the gambling addiction and can now face the future with dignity and confidence.

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378 Food parcels with at least three days’ worth of balanced

nutritious food

378

£300k of debt being addressed

£300k

58 families fed with Holiday Hunger

vouchers

58

12 with a Debt Management Plan

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5 family holidays funded

5 Hope Restored

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Our year in quotes

We have a fantastic team at Blandford Food Bank who work incredibly hard and are always generously supported by a network of partners. As always, there is more that needs to be done. We need your help…

Support us financially. You can donate in the following ways.

1. Text giving using DonR: it is now easier to donate to Blandford Food Bank than ever before! To set up monthly giving, all you need to do is, text* BLANDFORD and an amount you wish to donate to 70085. For example, BLANDFORD 10 will create a £10 monthly gift.

*You will be charged the amount donated, plus a standard network rate message. If donating monthly, you will then be charged the donation amount to your monthly mobile bill. **If you do not text a figure the default donation will be £5

2. CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) or PayPal: scan the QR code or go to https://faithworkswessex.org.uk/give/donate/

2018

Income

£19,120

Costs

£17,665Stacking up financially

Thank youTo the Mayor of Blandford for choosing the Food Bank as one of his charities of the yearTo the 17 individuals who gave nearly £200 regularlyTo the 11 churches who gave over £4,170 in the yearTo the following businesses and funders who made the work possible: The Valentine Charitable Trust, Hall & Woodhouse, Forum Focus, Blandford Community Promotions, Blandford Rotary Club, Bryanston Choral Society, Charlton Marshall lunch club and ForFarmersTo the 32 volunteers who are the hands and feet of the Food Bank To the Methodist Church who hosts the Food Bank, and for Blandford Fire Service who also help us with storage

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Costs: your donations have helped us pay for our Food Bank Manager, rent, telephone, IT, storage, insurance and to put on events.

‘Sharing my problems with those who can help, has lifted a great weight off my shoulders.’

‘It’s somewhere I can go to for conversation, being homeless means I rarely get to talk to anyone.’

‘Volunteering gives me a chance to work within the community.’

‘Volunteering has been my saviour in bereavement.

’Volunteering allows me to be useful in old age.’

‘I met my best friend who is also a volunteer.’

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If you‘re in a time of financial crisis the Food Bank+ may be able to help you start to get back on your feet…

In need of help?

You can help in any of the following ways…

Able to give help?

If you need a food parcel, you need to request a voucher from: the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, District Council, Sovereign Housing Association, Blandford Children’s Centre and the Mental Health Team at Blandford Hospital.

Shopping: Food donations can be delivered to the Food Bank on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 12pm or through donation points in local supermarketsRegular Giving: Donate by DonR text giving, PayPal or CAF (see page 7) or set up a standing order… even £5 a month will help!Volunteer: We need more Personal Budget Coaches, if you think this role would suit you, email hello@faithworkswessex.org.uk or phone Faithworks’ for an informal chat on: 01202 429037Praying: Pray for our service-users, volunteers, supporters, and wisdom as we develop the Food Bank

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For more information or if you know someone who might need our help, contact the team at:

Shopping list Facebook

Blandford Food Bank+The Methodist Church, The Close, Blandford Forum, DT11 7HATelephone: 01258 456093 Web: www.faithworkswessex.org.uk/projects Email: blandfordfood@faithworkswessex.org.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/blandfordfoodbankCharity registration no. 1108714 © Faithworks Wessex 2017 E&OE