Food banks ask for help in stocking up ahead of Christmas
THE Christmas period can be an expensive time for everyone. With gifts to buy and food to prepare for family and friends at the all-important Christmas dinner, it can sometimes be a struggle to budget.
But things can be made even more difficult at this time of year for those who rely on food banks. During the winter months, some must choose between paying bills and buying food. The Trussell Trust, which supports a national network of food banks, including those listed below, reported that 2.5 million emergency food parcels were given to people in crisis by food banks in their network in the financial year 2020-21.
The charity said 145,828 of these food parcels were given to people in Wales in this period. In Wales, this number has increased from 87,935 in the financial year 2014-15.
Foodbanks rely on the goodwill and donations of the general public, with donations being re-distributed to help alleviate food poverty and support those unable to afford food due to financial crises.
These are the items that food banks are currently in need of. However, it’s important to remember that not all centres necessarily need the same thing, and to check what your food bank needs before donating.
You can find out what your nearest foodbank needs by checking out our list below:
Jars of coffee (110g-250g) UHT long-life milk (1 litre) Long-life fruit juice (1 litre) Sponge puddings
Tinned tomatoes Microwaveable rice Confectionery (chocolates and sweets)
Savoury snacks (crisps, crackers, etc)
Rice pudding
Shampoo
Deodorant
Cardiff food bank has seven centres across the city – in Cathays, central Cardiff, Ely, Grangetown, Llanedeyrn, Splott and St Mellons.
The stock donated to these centres is given directly, free of charge, to those who need it by volunteer at the centres.
Cardiff food bank notes that its centres can only distribute food that is non-perishable, sealed and in date, and regularly posts lists of items that the centres need, as well as items of which they have plenty, on their website.
If you wish to donate food to Cardiff food bank, you can drop off your donations to their warehouse address at Cardiff Bay Business Centre, send an online supermarket food shop to the warehouse, or, alternatively, drop off your donations at a range of supermarket collection points across the city.
The food bank says it has plenty of baked beans, tea, pasta, cereal and nappies.
The food bank also accepts items such as tinned meat and fish, tinned vegetables and potatoes, cooking sauces, toiletries and household items, such as washing up liquid, toilet roll, and laundry liquid or gel.
Merthyr Cynon food bank Tinned tomatoes Tinned fruit
Tinned carrots
Long-life milk
Pots of noodles
Tea bags
Squash
The food bank says that it has plenty of tinned beans.
Based in Gurnos Christian Centre, the food bank is open between 9am and noon, Monday to Friday.
The food bank also has sites at Gateway Church in Aberaman, Cornerstone Church in Cembach, Cynon Valley Church in Mountain Ash, Hope Church in Cwmaman, and St Donat’s Church in Abercynon.
Rhondda food bank
Tinned fish
Tinned custard
Long-life milk
Chocolate
Tinned stewed steak
Strong carrier bags
The food bank has said it has plenty of beans, soup, and pasta.
The food bank, a project funded by local churches and community groups, is based across four sites: Acts Community Church, Tylorstown; Hope Church in Tonypandy; Blaenycwm Chapel, Ty Newydd, and the Salvation Army in Pentre RTC.
Rhondda food bank fed 2,033 adults and 1,022 children in the year ending March 31, 2020.
Pontypridd food bank
Tinned rice pudding/custard Tinned vegetables (not peas) Tinned potatoes
UHT juice and squash
Sugar
Tinned fruit
Jam
Mash potatoes
Tinned meat (not ham) Long-life milk
Toilet rolls
Toiletries
Cleaning products
Snacks such as crisps
The food bank, which has been operating since 2012, says that it has plenty of beans and pasta.
The food bank has four sites, all of which are accepting deliveries only at the moment.
Caerphilly food bank
Tinned fruit
Toiletries; toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc.
Rice packets
Crisps
Squash/fruit juice
Toilet rolls
Dog/cat food
The food bank, located at Connect Life Church, Caerphilly, says it has plenty of beans, pasta and cereal.
Bridgend food bank
Tinned mushrooms
Instant mashed potato
Small jars of coffee Toothpaste
Deodorant
Shower gel
Tampons and toilet roll Bridgend food bank, which opened in 2009, has eight locations across the area, including Aberkenfig, Bridgend, Caerau, Cornelly, Maesteg, Pontycymmer, Porthcawl and Pencoed.
The food bank also says that it is grateful for any carrier bag donations, which can be dropped into your nearest food bank.
Taff-Ely food bank
Fruit juice/squash
Tinned carrots
Hot chocolate
Packets of mash potatoes Tinned fruit
Coffee
Taff-Ely food bank supplied 1,361 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year. It has six locations across the area – Bethel Baptist Church at Pontyclun, Carmel Baptist Church in Llanharan, The Rock Church in Gilfach Goch, Capel Resource Centre in Tonyrefail, Saint Michael and All Angels in Pontypridd, Salem Baptist Church in Pontypridd, a warehouse at Ely Valley Business Park, and Ebeneezer Church in Talbot Green.
The food bank says it has plenty of beans, spaghetti, pasta, soup and tinned tomatoes.
Blaenau Gwent food bank
Instant mashed potatoes Rice
Powdered milk
UHT milk
Coffee
Tinned or packet custard
Tinned rice pudding Tinned sponge puddings Tinned fruit
Small tinned meat Small tinned potatoes Tinned tomatoes Tinned spaghetti Squash
Crisps
Snack Pots Noodles
Jams
Chocolate spread Sweets and chocolate bars Shaving foam/gel Disposable razors Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner Men’s and women’s deodorant Wet wipes
Nappies sizes 5, 5+, 6 and 6+ Washing up liquid Washing powder/tablets Cat/dog food
The food bank says it has plenty of beans, pasta and cereal. Its locations at Beaufort Distribution Centre and Brynmawr Distribution Centre are currently accepting deliveries only.
Newport food bank
Rice Tinned fish
Tinned custard
Tinned rice pudding Tinned fruit
Pasta sauce
Long-life juice
The food bank says that it has plenty of beans.
The food bank has permanent bins situated at Tesco, Cardiff Road & Spytty; Asda, Duffryn & Pill; Morrisons, Orb Drive; and Sainsbury’s, Friars Walk and Caerleon.
Do you run a local food bank that is in need of donations? Email elizabeth.thomas@reachplc.com to be added to this article