Poole Food Bank sees 77% increase in services users in 2022
Volunteers from The Dolphin Centre have been helping out
‘Poole Food Bank+’ has seen a significant rise in the number of people who use its services over the past year.
There has been an increase of 77% for the period January – October 2022.
The team at the Dolphin Centre in Poole, has volunteered 27 hours at Faithworks’ food bank storage unit in Kingland Crescent since September 2022.
The have pledged to continue volunteering throughout 2023 to support the Faithworks charity in its bid to find solutions around the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and homelessness.
Volunteering involves sorting through donations and stacking shelves in order for produce to be easily transported to St Clement’s Church Hall and other satellites for distribution amongst the community.
John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “Our team is dedicated to making a difference in the local community, and just one way we can give back is by volunteering both time and food to these vital food bank services.
“With the cost-of-living crisis hitting everyone hard, we’re urging retailers and the public to come together to support those struggling in any way they can, and if time is all you have, time is all Faithworks needs.”
Donations needed
Currently ‘Poole Food Bank+’ is requesting items such as UHT milk, shampoo and deodorant, fruit squash and tinned potatoes. In the run up to Christmas, festive items are also welcomed including tins of biscuits, tinned ham, salmon and cranberry sauce.
Gill Payne, manager at ‘Poole Food Bank+’, commented: "We love engaging with businesses who are able to give a little of their time to support us. It was fabulous having the Dolphin Centre team at our frontline site and helping at our food store.
“We love sharing what we do with others and joining together so that Poole as a whole looks after its own community. We can all learn so much about each other and we believe that this is why Poole Food Bank is currently in a good position to be able to support people in the current times."
Donation points in the local area can be found inside the Dolphin Centre and at most main local supermarkets. To volunteer at Poole Food Bank please call 01202 672694 to arrange a meet-up and taster session.
Faithworks
Faithworks is a local Christian charity supporting food banks in Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and Blandford. The charity specialises in supporting those affected by homelessness, food poverty, debt, addiction and those who find themselves in lone parent families.
Poole Food bank’s main hub is called Jimmy’s and is located in St James’ Church Centre in Poole town centre.
There is also a number of hubs open across Poole:
• St Clement’s Church Hall, 55 Kinson Avenue, BH15 3PH (Mon – Fri, 11am – 12.30pm)
• Poole Waste Not, Want Not (access from Hill Street, via rear of 70 High Street) (Mon, 1.30pm – 3pm, Tues – Fri, 11am – 3pm, Sat, 11am – 3pm)
• St Gabriel’s Church, Keysworth Road, Turlin Moor, BH16 5BH (Tues, 1.30pm – 3pm, Fri, 11.30am – 12.30pm)
• Calvary Pentecostal Church, Cromwell Road, Parkstone, BH12 2NS (Wed, 12pm-2pm)