16 December 2020

As we approach the end of a challenging year, we would like to wish everybody the very best for the festive season and for a better 2021. 

The Food Bank can only operate with the support of our volunteers who work tirelessly to help those in need, and who give their time in sorting donations, filling food bags, driving for us, storing & delivering emergency food bags, and running our food collection points across the city.

A huge thanks to them for all their support this year.  

Thank you to all our donors (both individuals and organisations) for their generosity in giving food and money. We are especially grateful at such a challenging time. 

Welcome from the Chair

Hi,
We have seen a steady rise in demand for emergency food and also more agencies wishing to register with us.

We will be at full stretch now until Christmas. With the extra responsibility of the appeal for toys, I thank the small army of mobile volunteers who will be collecting toy donations for onward distribution to children via our registered third party agencies.

Remember that if you are a group that supplies food to us, you can register by emailing bradfordfoodbank@gmail.com and also arrange collections of food bags. 

Have a good and safe "festive" experience. See you all next year. 

Stay safe 
Graham 

Graham Walker

Acting Chair

Bradford Fuel Payments Scheme

Bradford Council’s Local Welfare Assistance Scheme includes help towards the payment of energy bills. This element of the scheme is called the Fuel Payments Scheme and consists of three parts:
•    Fuel Top Ups – for customers on a pre payment meter (up to 2 x £80 per annum)
•    Payment of Fuel Arrears (max £300 per annum)
•    Payment of Debt Relief Order Fees (in cases where there are existing fuel arrears).

Applications can only be made through the following debt advisors in conjunction with the administering of debt advice. There is no direct application route for members of the public.
•    Citizens Advice Bureau
•    Girlington Advice Centre
•    CHAS
•    Windhill Advice Centre
•    Family Action (Canterbury Advice Centre)
•    Bradford Central Foodbank 

Meet the Food Bank committee - Steve Barnbrook

Thanks to Steve for being our next willing(?) volunteer!

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I recently took early retirement after working in policy and strategy development roles for local and regional government and, before that, charities and regeneration schemes. I have worked on diverse issues including flooding, domestic abuse, Brexit preparedness, housing, inclusive economies and children in care.
I'm also a Trustee of the White Ribbon Campaign, a national charity focussing on reducing violence by men against women and girls.
Other interests include watching live music, travelling and mountaineering - all on COVID hiatus at the moment.

How did you first become involved with the Food Bank, and how have things changed since then?

I was aware through my work of the increasing problem of poverty in general and food poverty in particular, and some friends volunteered here, so it seemed natural to get involved. The biggest change has been the massive increase in need and the sheer volume of bags we're giving out as a result.

What does your current role entail?

My main roles are writing bids for funding and looking at the broader picture in terms of local and national policy and data to help inform how we plan going forward.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the Food Bank and its users?

The challenge we face at the moment is without doubt the greatest we've faced since we began. Demand for our food bags has doubled since the start of the year, and we expect that trend to continue. The economic slump caused by the pandemic has left many people in a precarious position. People who thought they were relatively secure are now finding themselves in poverty. Jobs are going but the bills are still there. The end of the Brexit transition, with or without a trade deal, will result in increased prices for food and other essentials. The potential ending of the £20 Universal Credit top-up at the end of March will have a massive effect on people who are just about managing. All this is without the usual winter pressures of increased fuel costs, increased ill-health and the potential for flooding and other events. 
What is the most rewarding part of being a trustee of the Food Bank?

The people!
I've been involved with a number of charities over the years, but I have to say that the team of trustees running the food bank are the best I've met. We have a fantastic balance of skills so that everyone knows their role and they're good at it. We have an excellent co-ordinator and incredible volunteers who make everything happen. We couldn't have responded to the increased demand in the way that we have without having all those people in place.
 

New website launched for food help in Bradford

A new website has been launched that provides users with information about where to get help with food throughout the city.

The site includes information for people needing emergency food, for those on a low income, and for those who are homeless. It also provides information about volunteering and donating.

The website, which includes information about Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank, is available at https://bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/

Huge response to Christmas Toy Appeal

Following an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus for donations of toys for children throughout the city, we have been overwhelmed by people's kindness and have been inundated with deliveries which have been included with our food bags. 

A big thank you to everyone who has donated, and an especially big thank you to our volunteers who have driven around the area picking up donations, and to those at the Food Bank who have sorted and bagged the toys. 

It is good to know that children will have toys to play with this Christmas, thanks to the generosity of people throughout the city. 

Ward 29 contribution from the Covid front-line staff 

"Ward 29 are currently in the second wave of caring for the district's Covid-19 patients. This ward is usually an Elderly Care ward, so as you can imagine it’s been a very difficult time for all staff adjusting to a new way of working and experiences. Things are not always easy but as a team we work together and this is what we have done with this donation. It was decided we would scrap our usual Secret Santa and donate the money we would have spent on a gift to the local food bank after hearing how in need they were. On top of this staff also had a clear out of their old children’s toys to help put a smile on another child’s face this Christmas.

I am extremely proud of everyone who has donated and helped make Christmas special for those in need.
Merry Christmas From Ward 29
Katy Brown (Healthcare Assistant Ward 29)"

Bradford Festival Choral Society in fine voice as concert raises £600 for the Food Bank

On Saturday 21st November, Bradford Festival Choral Society presented their second online concert, This Shining Night, and invited viewers to donate £5 as the "ticket cost", with all proceeds coming to the Food Bank. The concert has raised over £600! A recording of the concert will be available on the BFCS YouTube channel shortly - https://www.youtube.com/bradfordfestivalchoralsociety

The trustees have also decided to donate all the monies received from their  
Christmas concert on 19th December to the Food Bank. Thank you very much for all your support!

For more information about the Christmas concert, please visit http://www.bradfordfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk/concert/christmas-concert-2/

Raising money for a much-needed flatbed truck, in memory of volunteer Mick Killoran

Mick Killoran volunteered at the Food Bank for over five years and, even as his throat cancer developed over his last 2 years, spent increasing amounts of time on bag packing and still gave the other volunteers a run for their money. 

Fellow volunteer Joy Leach launched an appeal to remember Mick and his contribution to the Food Bank by aiming to raise £350 towards a heavy–duty flatbed truck, a much-needed item. The appeal has the support of Mick’s family and his aunt has generously made the first donation.

Thanks to everyone who has since donated, the appeal currently stands at a whopping £590! Mick's birthday was January 17th and we aim to have the new truck delivered then.

Thank you to Joy for such a lovely idea to remember Mick. 

If you would like to make a donation towards Mick’s Truck appeal, please go to the Donating Page linked to the Food Bank website at https://www.givey.com/mickkilloranfoodbankvolunteer

Thank you to an employee at TK Maxx who nominated the Food Bank as a recipient of the organisation's Community Fund. A cheque for £500 was sent in November. 

Thank you for your feedback

We receive some lovely comments from the organisations that collect food bags from us and, through them, for their users. Here is just a small selection of recent feedback: 

"I have been in contact with Julie and have always expressed how grateful and humbled we are by the dedication and hard work all your volunteers do to enable us to be able to provide your wonderful and much needed food parcels.

We have always been dealt with in the most professional and efficient manner, right from arranging the pick up to the actual pick up. 

It is very important for people to understand how vital your support is to enable organisations like ourselves to be able to ensure some of our families who come with very little still have the basics plus some of the luxuries you always manage to add which is so appreciated". 

About the Food Bank

Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank (BMFB) was set up in 2004, with Company status coming around 2006, followed by charitable status. Our objective has always been to alleviate poverty across the Bradford district through the provision of food to those in need. The Food Bank is run by a committee of volunteers.

In its first year, BMFB gave out 1500 bags of food. We now give out well over 1500 bags per month. 

Provision of Food
BMFB operates a system of providing food to those in need through registered partners. We are different from most other food banks in that we do not supply food directly.  The partners assess needs and collect packed bags of food from the Food Bank each week to give out to people to alleviate food poverty.
The amount of donated food is never enough to meet needs so BMFB also purchases food, using financial donations from individuals and organisations.
The content of each food bag is based upon advice from nutritionists.  We estimate that one food bag will supply one person for 3 days.   

If you are in need of a food parcel, please be aware we cannot give out parcels direct to individuals. Please ask any professional working with you eg teacher, minister, housing worker.

For up-to-date information about where to get emergency food near to you, please visit https://bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/

​

If you are a professional organisation already working with vulnerable people to support them overcome food poverty - and you need food bags from us - please fill in the contact form on our website. We will send you our process and ask you to complete a registration form.

How you can help