Oundle
Food Bank
Did you know that Oundle Library is a collection point for the Oundle Food Bank? If you want to make a donation there’s a box near the library’s garden door. The food bank operates out of the Oundle Methodist Church on Drummingwell Lane, where volunteers pack and distribute emergency supplies to help people in need in Oundle and its surrounding villages.
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When it was set up more than five years ago it was decided that Oundle should be part of the Stamford Food Bank, which was already a registered charity with a bank account and warehousing facilities. Partnering with Stamford meant the Oundle Food Bank could be quickly established and the team could access the information and expertise they needed.
By referral
Clients are referred to the food bank by various agencies – GPs, social services, health visitors, children’s services, local churches and schools. Rather than paper vouchers, the system now operates online and an Operations Manager in Stamford processes applications and forwards details to the team at Oundle.
People can also apply for a referral using the Help Through Hardship scheme operated by The Trussell Trust, which has a free helpline where they can talk in confidence to a trained adviser. It’s worth noting that The Trussell Trust also offers other support such as debt advice, mental health support and benefits guidance.
Visiting Oundle Food Bank
When clients visit the Oundle Food Bank they will spend a few minutes with a volunteer to discuss their particular circumstances, because a single person will have different requirements to a family/household. This preliminary chat is essential to find out, for example, what cooking facilities they have, the ages of any children in the household and whether there are any special dietary requirements. The Food Bank can also supply toiletries and household supplies such as washing powder, nappies and pet food.
How much, how often
Oundle Food Bank operates to guidelines from The Trussell Trust, so no more than three vouchers are provided to someone in a six-month period, although this might be flexible in cases of real hardship.
Oundle Food Bank can only distribute non-perishable, in-date food. So please don’t donate fresh food or anything that’s gone beyond its Best Before date.
“We always seem to be short of long-life milk and tinned fruit…”
Oundle Food Bank volunteer
How to donate
You may have seen donation baskets in the Oundle supermarkets but there’s also a donation box at Oundle Library, near the garden door. Take a look at the lists below to find out what supplies are needed most.
Food items:
- Breakfast cereals and porridge oats
- Tinned vegetables e.g. tomatoes, peas, beans, sweetcorn etc.
- Tinned meat and fish
- Soup (cans or packets)
- Baked beans and Spaghetti (incl. meals or beans and sausage)
- Biscuits – sweet or savoury
- Pasta and rice
- Instant Mash
- Tea and coffee
- Long-life juice or bottles of cordial
- Milk UHT
- Jam and sauces (bottles or jars)
- Tinned fruit
- Rice pudding and sponge pudding
- Custard (packets or tins)
Toiletries/household goods:
- Cat/dog food
- Washing powder
- Washing up liquid
- Toilet rolls
- Soap
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Shower Gel and shampoo
- Sanitary towels and tampons
- Shaving foam and razors
For more information contact:
Oundle Food Bank
Email: oundlefoodbank@gmail.com
Tel: 07396 607 446
The Trussell Trust
Helpline: 0808 208 2138
(Helpline open Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm. Closed on public holidays.)
