St Ives Food Bank

How the food bank works

St Ives Food Bank was set up in 2013 and covers St Ives and the surrounding villages We are here to help those people who find themselves unable to afford to buy food. Food Bank use is for emergencies only and we operate on a voucher/referral system. We have over 80 recognised local community and governmental agencies who refer clients to us.

If you or anyone you know needs help, and do not know who to contact, then please email us for further information. Please do not be afraid to ask for help, we are here to help you. We will ask for a brief summary of the reason you need to use the Food Bank and will then suggest an organisation who would be best placed to help.

Opening and delivery times

The Food Bank operates on Tuesday and Friday mornings. All referrals must be emailed to us by 9.00pm the evening before to guarantee delivery that session.

Food parcels will be delivered to clients’ homes by 1.00pm on the days of operation. The food parcel will be placed on the doorstep, or in a safe place if we have been informed the client will not be at home. If there is no answer, and nowhere to leave the food, it will be returned to the Food Bank and sent out for re-delivery the next time we are open. Our drivers will not enter clients’ homes. Note that during exceptionally busy periods we may deliver parcels on other days of the week, and it may not always be possible to give advanced notice of this.

Who we help

The Food Bank serves everyone in crisis regardless of faith or belief. It is important to be passionate about inclusion and being non-judgemental is central to the ethos of the Food Bank. It is underpinned by the belief that everyone has the right to food, dignity, skills, a chance to work and hope for the future.

Food parcels

We provide enough food basics to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for a minimum of three days. The packages are designed for emergencies and contain a small range of ‘must haves’ for those who could not get by without.

Suggested donations

As we anticipate relocating our operations base later this year we are currently reducing stocks to minimise labour and moving expenses. Do not worry we are not going away and will still be in St Ives! At present, the only things we are short of are Toilet Rolls and Kitchen Roll. however if you would consider a cash donation so we can restock items as needed we would be very grateful. Please see below under ‘Gift Aid’ if you are a UK taxpayer as this enables us to claim an 25% extra from the government to benefit the Food Bank Above all we wish to express grateful thanks to everyone who supports us so generously.

  • TOILET ROLLS!
  • KITHCEN ROLL
  • DOG FOOD
  • Financial Donations for specific diets and/or low stocked items are always welcomed, as this lets us address any immediate shortages or special dietary needs. You can find details on how to do this below.
  • Please resist the temptation to buy large ‘value’ packs or exotic items as they can create difficulties with storage and fair distribution of foods. Basic items and small packs are generally best especially those on the list above.

We kindly ask that the following are NOT included as donations:

  • Food that is close to or past its expiry/best by/use by date
  • Fresh, frozen or refrigerated food.
  • Foods that require additional ingredients to prepare (i.e., mixes for home preparation, bread mixes, etc.)
  • Foods that require long cook times
  • Baking supplies
  • Homemade food items
  • Alcohol

Donations can be dropped off at any time at The Vicarage in Westwood Road, PE27 6DH and left in the grey cabinet by the fraon door’; there is also a drop off point at All Saints Church Hall, Ramsey Road which is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings between 10.00 am – 12.00 noon; and at other times when the Church is open. Alternatively, food may be left at Aldi, Co-op, Morrisons, Nationwide or Waitrose in St Ives or Tesco in Somersham where you will find collection points marked ‘St Ives Food Bank’.

Financial donations

If you are unable to purchase food to donate, please consider if you could make an online donation as this can be most efficeint if you are a UK tax payer resulting in an extra 25% that we can claim from HMRC. (See ‘Gift Aid’ below) his is also beneficial as it enables us to source those things which are most needed. Thank you.

  • Bank: Barclays
  • Name: St Ives (Cambs) Food Bank
  • Sort code: 20-43-63below’)
  • Account number: 13183149

We are extremely grateful to those who donate towards the costs of running the Food Bank by bank transfer or standing order using these details. However, if you do so, we do not know who the gift is from unless you also get in touch with us directly. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement of your gift, please email us at treasurer@stivesparishchurch.org.uk. If you do not use online banking donations can be left at or posted to The Vicarage, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6DH.  Please mark the envelope clearly as ‘Food Bank’. Thank you.

Gift Aid

You can boost your donation to the St Ives Food Bank by 25p for every £1 you donate using Gift Aid. Download and complete the Gift Aid form, and return it by email to: treasurer@stivesparishchurch.org.uk

Contact the Food Bank

You can contact the Food Bank during its opening hours (Tuesday and Friday mornings) on 07835 521541. Please do not use this number if you require food unless you already have a voucher as we do not issue food in this way. You can email us instead. This number is primarily for agents to contact us and arrange issue of food on behalf of clients and general enquiries from potential donors.

Outside of the Food Bank opening times (Tuesday and Friday mornings) please email us at foodbank.stives@gmail.com

Please note – we are an independent foodbank and therefore cannot accept Trussell Trust paper or e-vouchers. If you are in possession of a Trussell Trust voucher please ask your issuing agent to contact us directly.

Constitution

Thank you to everyone who has donated to us – you can be certain that your donations will be used to help the most vulnerable in our community.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35-36