Food Plus: How We’re Changing Our Approach

Thanks to your support, we’re seeing positive change. Fewer people needed our food bank services in 2024, as we’ve developed a more comprehensive approach to tackling food insecurity. Through initiatives like The Bridge Food Project, we’re creating lasting solutions.

Our partnerships with Citizens Advice Bristol and Citizens Advice South Glos have strengthened significantly. Alongside emergency food, we now offer direct access to benefits advice, debt support and housing guidance. This integrated approach means we’re not just feeding people – we’re helping them build financial stability.

The Bridge Food Project exemplifies our innovative approach. This food club + support model in Lockleaze offers members affordable, nutritious food alongside budgeting and cooking support. For a small weekly fee, members access higher-value groceries, helping them transition towards food security. Your donations directly support this sustainable solution, empowering individuals to break the cycle of food poverty.

We’re transforming our food bank outlets into welcoming community spaces. In Patchway and Mangotsfield, we now offer breakfasts and a warm, inclusive environment. These spaces provide more than just food—they’re hubs for advice, friendship, and support. By creating these local gathering points, we’re tackling social isolation and building stronger communities.

Our campaigning efforts are gaining momentum. We’ve amplified the voices of those with lived experience of food insecurity, organising hustings and petitioning for increased Universal Credit. Your support enables us to advocate for systemic change, addressing the root causes of food poverty in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Your generosity has made these achievements possible. Every donation, large or small, contributes to building a more food-secure community. To continue this vital work, we need your ongoing support. Together, we’re creating lasting change in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

FAQs

How can I access food bank services in Bristol and South Gloucestershire?

To access our services:

1. Get in touch with us.
2. Arrange a visit to the referral agency.
3. Bring your foodbank voucher to your nearest foodbank centre.
   For full information, see How to Get Help.

What additional support does North Bristol and South Glos Foodbank offer?

Beyond emergency food, we offer:

• Wraparound support services including benefits advice, debt support, and housing guidance through our partnerships with Citizens Advice.
• The Bridge Food Project, a food pantry model offering affordable groceries and budgeting support.
• Community spaces in Patchway and Mangotsfield, providing breakfasts, advice, and a welcoming environment.
• Referrals to external agencies at our food bank outlets.

How can I volunteer or support the food bank?

To volunteer, email us at [email protected] or enquire using our online form. We offer various volunteering opportunities to suit different skills and availabilities, including: sorting food donations, picking up donations from donation points in a van, representing us at food drives, packing food parcels at outlets, and welcoming service users at outlets.

Thank you!

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