Our foodbank covers a wide area, much of which consists of villages and rural communities with very limited public transport. That’s the main reason we do deliveries, so if you really can’t get to us during the times we’re open, you know that we can still get the food to you.
There are, however, very good reasons why coming to one of our drop-in sessions is a really good idea. Besides providing food parcels for when you’re struggling, we’re also here to help you in other ways such as ideas for financial help so that maybe, in the future, you won’t need our help with food at all.
Here are six good reasons to call in and see us:
- Money Buddies. Did you know that every Friday session we have a Money Buddies expert here at Barleyfields from 10am till 11:30am? If you have any problems with benefits, bills or debts, they know the system inside out and have a fantastic success rate at getting you everything you’re entitled to and can advise how you can really maximise your income. If you want a consultation with the Money Buddies expert, we provide a quiet space for you to chat in private. You can also book a phone appointment with them.
- Signposting. What is signposting? It means our volunteers have access to lots of information and can point you to many other organisations and groups who can help.
- Choice. Your food parcel will be picked according to your personal requirements and preference. If you visit us in person, you can let us know if you need items like period products, shaving kit or maybe that you’d rather have baked beans and not spaghetti hoops, or tuna not sardines etc. You get what YOU need and we avoid waste.
- More choice. You can choose items from our short-date table. This might include items that have a shelf life of less that three months. There are often items like seasonal treats, cook-in sauce mixes, herbs and spices, biscuits, tins and packets of food.
- Fresh food. Sometimes supermarkets drop off a tray of items at the start of a session. This might include bread, pastries, cakes, fruit and vegetables. All baked goods will be packaged (with allergy information) and you can choose what you like. Any fresh items that aren’t taken during the session will have to be disposed of once we close as we’re unable to store fresh food.
- Cuppa & a chat! Every person who visits us is offered a hot drink, a biscuit or two and maybe a chat with one of our lovely volunteers. There’s always somewhere to sit, in the warmth, while your food parcel is picked and packed for you.
If you do manage to come along to a drop-in session we can, in some circumstances, still deliver your parcel to you. We understand it can be difficult for some people to get to us. Bus routes and timetables don’t always work out and maybe time is short – especially if you’re working, but it is an important way to make sure you’re getting access to all the help that is available.
We hope to see you soon!
