Between 3:30am and 4am on Wednesday 27 May, thieves broke into Ebenezer Church on Filton Avenue, Horfield, forcing their way into both the church and Foodbank offices. Items of significant value were stolen from both. The Foodbank van was also taken.
Later that same day, a local resident spotted the van nearby, and police managed to recover it overnight, undamaged. However, other items remain unrecovered. If you have dashcam footage or any information that could help, please contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, quoting reference 5226145062. The BBC and Bristol 24/7 have both published reporting on the incident.
Within hours of the news breaking, comments and messages started arriving, and they haven't stopped. Around 130 people commented on social media; posts were shared over 200 times. People offered practical help, including volunteering to help secure the building, alongside donations of food and money.
“It was breaking and entering. It's been gutting,” said Stewart North, who chairs our trustees and is also Ebenezer's pastor. The break-in struck both organisations that night. Then the messages started arriving. “We had incredible amounts of support, offering finances, food and essential items, people really rallying around together. We're amazed at how people have looked out for each other.”
Among the messages, many people shared their own experiences of using the Foodbank, or told us how much it has meant to someone they know. That has moved everyone here.
None of this has stopped us. Across our nine food parcel distribution outlets in North Bristol and South Gloucestershire, more than 320 volunteers and our staff team are still showing up, packing parcels, and welcoming people through the door. With the support the community has shown, we're rallying, and we're committed to keeping every outlet open and running.
If you'd like to help, here's where to start:
- Donate food: Check our most urgently needed items and find your nearest donation point
- Donate money: Give online
Our CEO Ellen puts it simply: “Everybody can help a little bit.” And this week, an awful lot of people have.
