Food Supply & Food Bank

from Allendale Magazine | Oct - Dec 2022

It comes but once a year

Wimborne Community Food Supply & Wimborne Food Bank – what’s the difference?

There’s a little confusion in the town about the difference between Wimborne Community Food Supply and Wimborne Food Bank, so we thought we’d give readers some information.

Wimborne Community Food Supply (WCFS), which started in March 2020 and is based here at the Allendale Centre, offers food and support to those who need it in the local community. This includes pastoral care and practical help with items needed for sheltered housing. It operates thanks to generous local companies, including the Co-op and bakery chain Greggs, who provide free food that WCFS can pass on without charging recipients. It’s open 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 11.30am Saturday.

More than 300 meals a week are also cooked on the premises, for those in need. Items are given to recipients at the food supply window, at the rear of the Centre, and the service is staffed by volunteers. Volunteers also deliver to those unable to come to the Allendale.

Wimborne Community Food Supply Manager Daniela Colombo said: “Recipients can come to the window and look forward to receiving either food that has been cooked and needs warming up, or food in a container to last them that day. People are invited to bring any surplus food – including meat – as we have freezers and fridges. At this time of year people have produce grown in their gardens and we have also received a multitude of produce lovingly grown in the Wimborne Community Food Garden.”

Daniela added that WCFS works well with Wimborne Food Bank, which is based at Leigh Park. If you would like to become a volunteer at WCFS please contact Daniela on 07491 903124.

Tenth birthday for Wimborne Food Bank

It’s Wimborne Food Bank’s 10th Anniversary this year and unfortunately, their services are needed now more than ever. Over the last year they have seen a big increase in people not only needing help with food parcels but also with heating top ups, school uniforms, household items and much more to help them get by.

They have expanded their services to include money advice and have a small team of Community Money Advisors (CMA), who provide support to clients who are experiencing debt problems and financial difficulties. They are part of the national Community Money Advice network, which means they are able to function as debt advisors, compliant and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This service can really help clients to reduce their monthly outgoings, ensure that they are receiving their full benefit entitlement, and reduce debts. Some clients that have used this service no longer need help with food and are in a better financial position, so the Wimborne Food Bank are passionate about growing this service.

Sharon Keenan, Wimborne Food Bank Manager said: “We would like to thank the community of Wimborne for their help in supporting us to walk alongside people facing real hardship and who cannot afford to buy food. We could not do what we do without you.”