Update from our Bracknell Foodbank

It’s certainly been a busy couple of months, with exciting changes and developments that the team can't wait to share. From rebranding updates to partnerships, community engagement, and heartwarming client stories, this edition is packed with the latest news from Bracknell Foodbank.

A Fresh Look for Trussell Trust

First things first, let’s talk about the big news!

As part of the Trussell Trust network, we are thrilled to announce a refreshed brand with a new logo. While you may have already noticed this, we won’t be fully rolling out these changes at Bracknell Foodbank until after the Harvest and Christmas season. However, moving into 2025, you'll start seeing our new look, and we believe this rebrand reflects a renewed focus on tackling poverty and helping people regain financial stability.

If you're curious about why Trussell Trust decided to rebrand, you can read more about the thought process behind it here.

Summer Stats and Community Updates

The summer holidays came and went in the blink of an eye. Even though the weather didn’t bring much sunshine, we worked hard to bring light to people’s lives. Our August figures tell an interesting story: we issued 168 vouchers and fed 388 people. This is a noticeable drop from August 2023, when we issued 271 vouchers and fed 614 people. That’s a reduction of 103 vouchers and 226 individuals.

While we don’t know all the factors behind this decrease, we’re hopeful that our increased efforts to collaborate with referral agencies are starting to make a difference. Alan, who leads our partnerships with these agencies, has been instrumental in helping people access the support they need earlier. The ultimate goal is to live in a world where foodbanks are no longer necessary—where everyone has enough to meet their needs without relying on emergency food supplies. Every drop in numbers feels like a step closer to that vision.

A Visit from Our Local MP

We had the pleasure of welcoming our new local MP, Peter Swallow, to one of our foodbank sessions in mid-July. It was an honour to give him a tour of the foodbank, showing him how we operate and the positive impact we’re having on the community. He was impressed with the warm, welcoming atmosphere we’ve worked hard to create and commended the efficiency of our processes. We hope this visit marks the beginning of a strong relationship with him and an opportunity to advocate for long-term change.

Tesco Summer Pre-Packed Donation Bags

Tesco really stepped up this summer! They made it easier for their customers to donate by pre-packing bags with items specifically selected for foodbanks. Thanks to our fantastic Supermarket Champions and the “bankthefood” app, we were able to get exactly what we needed.

In August, Tesco Martins Heron donated a staggering 1045 kg of food, and Tesco Warfield went even further with an impressive 2325 kg. The generosity of the community was overwhelming, and we even got a feature in Bracknell News!

We’d like to give a huge shoutout to all the volunteers who helped make this happen. You are the backbone of everything we do.

Partnerships: Welcome Jodie from Citizens Advice

Thanks to funding from Trussell Trust, we’ve been hard at work developing a new partnership with Crowthorne Foodbank and Citizens Advice East Berkshire. After months of planning, we’re excited to welcome Jodie to our team!

Jodie has taken on the role of ‘Information Assistant’ with Citizens Advice, working with both Bracknell and Crowthorne Foodbanks. Her job is to conduct initial triage with our clients and refer them to our dedicated CA advisor, Jevon.

Having Jodie on board means that foodbank families now have daily access to crucial advice on issues such as income maximization, benefit applications and entitlements, and housing problems. This partnership ensures that we’re not just providing food but also tackling the underlying issues that lead people to use foodbanks in the first place.

A bit more about Jodie: She’s a passionate advocate for homelessness and poverty issues, has worked with the YMCA for two years, and even debated with MPs on topics affecting disadvantaged communities. We are so lucky to have her on the team!

Tesco, Waitrose, and Community Engagement

The support from local supermarkets doesn’t stop with Tesco. We were also invited by Lucinda, the Community Matters Activator at Waitrose Bracknell, to participate in their Food Drive Week on 19 September. Our volunteers were, as always, amazing, helping to collect much-needed donations and sharing our mission with the community. Thank you to everyone involved!

Building these relationships with local businesses is vital. It not only helps stock our shelves but also spreads awareness about the work we do and the impact we have on people’s lives.

Client Stories: The Heart of What We Do

It’s the personal stories that remind us why we do this work. Here are just two examples of how the foodbank has touched lives in meaningful ways:

The Cake Mix Blessing
A kind lady came by with a food donation and then returned later with a gift bag. She wanted to bake a birthday cake for someone in need but knew we couldn’t accept homemade food due to health and safety rules. Instead, she brought a cake mix and some icing, hoping to brighten someone’s birthday. Later that day, the gift found its way to a woman who had been having a difficult week. She was deeply moved that a stranger cared enough to make her feel special. It’s these small acts of kindness that have the power to change someone’s day—and sometimes their outlook on life.

A First Visit Filled with Courage
One young woman came to the foodbank for the first time, visibly nervous and anxious. It had taken her 20 minutes to gather the courage to come inside. After offering her reassurance and talking through what would happen next, we took her and her partner to pick out some fresh produce. It turned out that she had never tried an "easy peeler" before—so right there, we peeled one! The couple left happier and much more at ease, with a small but meaningful new experience. The woman even joked that what started out feeling like "Jurassic Park" turned out to be a walk in the park!

September Stats

To wrap things up, here’s a snapshot of our September statistics:

Donations in: 4.5 tons of food/other items

Weight of food given to clients: 5.6 tonnes (4.4 tons, plus an additional 1.2 tons of extra items!)

Donations to other charities: Life House - 13.5 kg, Battersea Dog Rescue - 38.6 kg

Vouchers fulfilled: 198

Clients provided with food: 435 (285 adults, 150 children)

Stay Connected

We’d love to keep you updated on our work and impact. You can follow us on Facebook at Bracknell Foodbank. By sharing our posts, you help raise awareness about the vital role foodbanks play in our community.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sarah Walker - Social Justice Lead, Kerith Revive