HOPECHURCH FOOD BANK
Location: Hope centre, Grove road, Rotherham
Start date: 1 February 2017
End Date: 31 October 2017
Grant: £7,500
Project: Rotherham Foodbank is a project of the Hope Church Rotherham and based at the Hope Centre in Rotherham town centre. The garage has been used for storing small amounts of tinned food but was primarily a dumping ground for old furniture and other items that were surplus to requirements. With the foodbank experiencing an ever-increasing number of clients, it has become necessary to expand their storage capacity so that they are able to accept greater supplies of stock in the winter.
Key Aims: the project aimed to have a secure, insulated, watertight area for storing food, efficiently manage the food supply and stock available and ensure that efficient stock control is in place. In addition, volunteers were consulted and informed to understand the new arrangements of the work.
Efficiency: The foodbank helps people to make a positive change in their lives by working with over 40 organisations to provide emergency food and support at a time of personal crisis. The new warehouse builds on this by enabling the Foodbank to reach more people through having increased food storage space.
Employment and Skills: The project has provided work for a builder, a plasterer, a decorator and will provide work for an electrician prior to its completion next month.
Social and Economic Regeneration: The Foodbank makes a positive difference to people’s lives by giving them a food parcel in times of crisis and helping them and their family. When people are referred to the Foodbank, they are often desperate. They try to provide an environment which makes them feel welcome, valued and helps them retain their self-respect. As well as a food parcel, volunteers provide a listening ear and signpost them to other support as appropriate.
Sustainability: Foodbanks help to reduce waste at supermarkets, as non-perishable items that are nearing the end of their shelf live are often donated by the supermarkets to the foodbanks so that they can be used for immediate consumption. As demand has increased, so the amount of people donating, and the volume of donations has increased to meet this demand