Are you unable to afford to buy enough food? Take a look at our list below featuring 10 top food banks in Hampshire.
1. Southampton City Mission
Local Southampton churches formed the Southampton City Mission in 1963. With a referral, you can visit one of their associate basics banks to receive carrier bags filled with non-perishable food items, plus bread and greengrocer items, when available. A volunteer will sit down with you on your first visit and go over any special dietary requirements before packaging a four-day supply of the foods best suited to your needs
If you want to donate, volunteer, or contact someone at the mission, you can visit their website to find the information you need.
2. Hound Basics Food Bank
Don’t go hungry in Southampton. Instead, visit Hound Basics Food Bank. This organisation was founded by local churches in 2013 and has continued to do its part to fight food poverty in the area since then. They are open two days each week to distribute tinned foods and dry goods to anyone who is experiencing a temporary need for supplemental food. All you need is a referral from a local agency to sign up for one of their food packages.
Donations and volunteers are always appreciated. Get in contact with someone at the charity if you want to learn more.
3. Portsmouth Food Bank
More than half of the people who visited this Portsmouth food bank last year had never been to one before. The ones who came were typically waiting on benefits to kick in or had lost considerable income during the pandemic months. Since 2004, the Portsmouth Food Bank has helped people just like the ones who came to their doors last year and continues to do so today. They offer a three-day supply of non-perishable food to any in need.
You can donate or volunteer your time if you’d like to help further this worthwhile mission. Contact details are available on the website.
4. North End Pantry
The North End Pantry in Portsmouth was founded in 2015 by the North End Church. This pantry operates a bit differently than many food banks. The food offered at this location is not free. However, they do provide groceries at about a quarter of the price you would pay at the shops. For less than a fiver per week, recipients receive fresh fruit and veg, bread, dairy, dry goods, and tinned foods valued at about four times the price they paid for them.
Do your part to support their efforts with a donation or by volunteering to help. Reach out to someone if you’d like to know more.
5. Winchester Basics Food Bank
The Winchester Basics Food Bank founded by a coalition of Winchester churches has been serving the needs of their community for nearly two decades. Though this food bank requires a referring organisation, they also allow a limited number of self-referrals for those in need of emergency food assistance. Their volunteers discuss each recipient’s nutritional needs and provide them with the foods they need to supplement their existing grocery supply.
They are always looking for donations or volunteers if you’d like to help. You can contact someone at the charity to get additional information.
6. Community Food Pantry
The Community Food Pantry in Winchester was started by local volunteers in 2021 to help families make the most of their food budget. The pantry offers an amount of food equal to three times the weekly membership fee to anyone who would like to shop without seeking a referral. This allows shoppers to make the most of a low food budget without settling for cheaper, less nutritious items for their table. When available, they also provide some free food items from donations.
Why not volunteer or donate if you are able to do so? You can find out anything else you need to know by contacting the food bank.
7. Basingstoke Food Bank
Basingstoke Food Bank is supported by The Trussell Trust. Founded in 2012 by community leaders, the volunteers at this Basingstoke food charity accept referrals from agencies in their area and personalize their allotments to the needs of each recipient. Each intake starts with a cuppa and a biscuit while staff assesses your needs and provides any other assistance, they can to you, followed by distribution of the foods you require for your pantry shelves.
Volunteering and donating are both great ways to join the fight against hunger. Feel free to contact someone if you want to know more.
8. MCKS Charitable Foundation
Are you in need of supplemental food in Basingstoke? The MCKS Charitable Foundation is there for you and will help you for as long as you need them. Founded in 2002 by Master Choa Kok Sui, MCKS offers a variety of food programs to assist you. Those with referrals can receive a three-day supply of groceries. Those with longer-term needs can receive up to three weeks of emergency food or join a membership program where they can purchase larger quantities of food for a low weekly fee.
Become a part of the solution to food poverty with a donation or by volunteering some time. Get in contact with any questions.
9. Farnborough Food Bank
The Farnborough Food Bank had meager beginnings. The food bank originated in a small shed in 2009 and then grew into the spare space at several homes of the volunteers who started the program. Eventually, they were afforded some space by the Farnborough Council and continued to grow. Run completely by volunteers and supported by area charities, businesses, and individuals, they now provide emergency food assistance to thousands of area residents each year.
Donations and volunteers are always welcome. You can find out anything else you’d like to know by contacting a member of staff.
10. The Larder Food Bank
The Church of the Good Shepherd in Farnborough was established in 1950 by a larger church due to the growth in the community. Along with that growth came hard times that the new church wanted to address. The Larder Food Bank is one of the outreach programs they developed to do just that. This church service program can provide you with three days’ worth of emergency non-perishable food, along with necessary personal hygiene items.
You can get involved by donating or volunteering. If you want to learn more about their program, you should reach out to someone on their contact page.
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