Exciting News: A New Chapter for Bracknell Foodbank

With recent worldwide events & the current economic landscape Bracknell Foodbank has been witnessing a surge in demand, with around 500-600 individuals seeking assistance for food provision each month. We recognise the importance of evolving, to not only sustain our mission but also to address the root causes driving families to our doors.

A line you might often hear me say is this quote from Desmond Tutu;

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river and go upstream to find out why they're falling in.”

The challenges faced by some of the families we see every day extend beyond immediate hunger, encompassing issues like financial instability, physical or mental health concerns, housing insecurities and benefit issues to name a few. While we're dedicated to offering support through our own in house initiatives and signposting to other local projects, some problems necessitate specialist assistance.

Our commitment to all round holistic support has led us to forge strong partnerships with local organisations across Bracknell Forest such as Citizens Advice among many others. However, amidst the current landscape of economic strain and soaring living costs, even these invaluable resources are stretched thin, resulting in prolonged wait times for people to access help and support.

We are delighted to announce that after fruitful discussions with Citizens Advice and The Trussell Trust, an exciting new development has emerged.

Thanks to a grant from The Trussell Trust totaling £158,420 over two years, we are poised to revolutionize our support system! This funding will enable us to put in place dedicated and trained Citizen Advice Advisers and Assessors within Bracknell Foodbank premises and also partner with our friends at Crowthorne Foodbank to share this provision, directly addressing the needs of Foodbank guests.

This collaborative effort not only signifies a significant step forward in our mission but also underscores our commitment to fostering stronger community connections across the whole area.

We are thrilled at the prospect of working closely with Citizens Advice East Berkshire to ensure that the selected adviser aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the Foodbank. Moreover, this partnership marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards empowering individuals and families in need. Our ultimate desire is to see an end to the need for Foodbanks & this goes some way in ensuring those in need are able to obtain advice and help in a timely way to move towards financial independence.

It is such a blessing to be able to partner together on this. This grant not only represents the largest sum Kerith has received to date but also stands as a testament to divine provision and the unwavering dedication to our community.

We are still in the early stages of the process but over the next few months we will see the service fully operational and together, we will be forging a brighter future—one where no individual or family is left to face adversity alone and is able to access the help and support needed to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who prays for the work we do and for our dedicated and faithful teams. If you pray please continue to pray for the right person/people to take up these amazing roles?

Exciting times ahead!

With much love,

Sarah Walker - Social Justice Lead