The Food Bank is a store where food donated by the community is banked, and can be drawn on by people in crisis. Individuals, couples and families are provided with three days of food (10 balanced meals) to see them through the period between crisis and the provision of support and intervention by the appropriate agencies. If the crisis continues then this period of support can be extended. Food is collected at supermarkets, churches and through local groups and then "banked" in a store. Food is drawn in two ways , both of which operate as a result of referrals from registered Care Professionals such as Social Services, Job Centres, CAB, Health Visitors, Police Officers, Church Pastoral Workers, schools and others working in the front line of poverty:

Vouchers issued by our partnering agencies are redeemed at the Food Bank for three days of food. A welcome, cup of tea, chat , the provision of a warm and safe, non-judgemental environment with one of our Food Bank volunteers enables an assessment of possible areas of help that can be offered. As well as providing clients with food, THE FOOD BANK in Bude offers access to a multi-agency platform (CAB, Debt Counseling, Advocacy, Health Visitors etc.). This facility is designed to enable recipients to begin to effectively break their long-term circle of poverty and has received considerable support from local Care Professionals.

Emergency Food Boxes are also carried by Care Professionals working in the more rural areas. These contain sufficient food for four people for three days. These are replenished by THE FOOD BANK as required. We also provide a same day delivery service from our store in Bude.