It has been a fast changing situation for Barnsley foodbank as the Covid 19 crisis unfolds. To continue to provide a source of crisis food to people in need across Barnsley at a time of increased demand we have been working closely with Barnsley Council, Yorkshire Fareshares, all our referral partners and foodbank distribution spokes to ensure we coordinate with local emergency efforts.
Getting Help with Food
We have had to make some adaptions to how we operate so arrangements are safe for our volunteers and those members of the public who need to use the foodbank. We are back to a system where people go through our referral partners to have a food voucher issued and then collect their food parcels from one of our community based foodbank spokes. If you need help first contact one of our referral agencies. The agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, Local Welfare Assistance, Barnsley Family Services, Barnsely Social Services, Schools, mental health teams, Humandkind, Credit Unions, Housing Associations, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, and some local charities. They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
Many of our spokes initially had to close but these have now reopened (see current times and locations below) and are practicing the required social distancing, we also have some new spokes and additional opening hours, so food can be distributed to people in financial hardship safely.
Our food bank spoke opening times are below. We have great community partners with lovely volunteers who staff these.
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
|
10.00-11.30AM GOLDTHORPE Salvation Army |
9.30 -11.30 DARFIELD Wesley church |
10.00 – 12.00 BARNSLEY Hope House Cafe |
11.00am – 1.00 BARNSLEY St Georges Church |
10.00am – 1.00 GOLDTHORPE Salvation Army |
|
11.00 – 1.00 BARNSLEY Hope House Café
|
10.00 -12.00 PENISTONE St Andrews Church |
|
10.30am -1.00 ROYSTON Salvation Army |
|
|
10am-12pm WOMBWELL Foodbank
|
11.00am – 1.00 BARNSLEY St Georges Church |
Food donations
Food donations initially dropped as there were restrictions on items that could be brought and many felt financial impacts, but people have continued to give when they could. The generosity of people in Barnsley is fantastic. One of our Tesco’s Community Champions at Barnsley Tescos, Lisa Hammond, posted photos on Twitter from pics of foodbank donations made during the first couple of weeks of April in the run up to Easter. Amazing generosity, Lisa gave a mention to Swaith WMC who donate a selection of Easter Eggs.
Donating Money and Thanking Our Supporters
If you are able to donate money go to https://barnsley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/ and of course please continue to donate food when you are able at our collection points in Tescos and Coop. Thanks also to Barnsley Samaritans for reaching out to us and providing their Tea Bags and leaflets reminding us of their ‘Talking Got Me through’ campaign. They are there for anyone who wants to talk about their worries 116 123 free from any phone, 0330 094 5717 local call charges apply
Last week we were applied to the fabulous Cash for Kids Charity and were awarded a grant. Thank you so much this will go towards supplies for families in hardship with children. We have also received funding from the Trussell Trust via their Coronavirus Response Grants, this is massively appreciated. We are members of the Trussell Trust Foodbank network and they have been working hard to support foodbanks throughout the UK during the Covid Crisis.
Big thanks to the people volunteering with us and to all members of the public and organisations who continue to give cash or food donations, these make a real difference.
Foodbanks across the UK are facing challenging times, we are a member of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks and they are working hard to support foodbanks across the UK. You can read here information from Trussell Trust about the issues foodbanks are facing during the Covid 19 crisis and the changes they are having to make.
