Kim Wilkins, Manager of Curborough Community Centre in Lichfield gave an interesting talk to club members at our Business Meeting on Wednesday 14th May 2014 about the Trussell Trust Foodbank in Lichfield.
Trussell Trust was founded in 1997 by Paddy and Carol Henderson and named after Carol’s Mother, Betty Trussell, from whom they had received a legacy. The Trussell Trust, a Christian charity, does not affiliate itself with any political party, receives no government funding and works through a network of churches & other outlets. In Lichfield the three distribution sites are Curborough Community Centre, the Emmanuel Christian Centre and Wade Street Church.
Food is donated by supermarkets, schools and other collection points, sorted and stored in a warehouse in Lichfield and distributed to recipients who qualify for help. Professionals from statutory and voluntary organisations such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau staff, welfare officers, the police and probation officers, identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
Clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be exchanged for three days supply of emergency food. The foods in each parcel have been recommended by dieticians to provide recipients with nutritionally balanced food. Some foodbanks run a delivery service, to get emergency food to clients living in rural areas and those who are unable to get to a foodbank. Whilst their food is being packed, foodbank volunteers will sit and chat with clients over a cup of tea or hot meal. This enables them to hear their stories and signpost them to agencies who can offer additional help and begin to resolve any underlying problems.
4 club members will visit the centre next month to see first hand the work being carried out.