So what’s in a foodbank parcel?
Ever wondered what goes into a Foodbank parcel? Is it all dried goods? Is there any fresh produce? Is it all food? Is it always the same? Well, that all depends.
What’s the starting point?
Let’s start with what a foodbank is and our key values before looking specifically at any given food parcel. We exist to meet a temporary need for families who for whatever reason may not be able to afford groceries that week.
Our key value is to offer dignity and respect for every individual that uses the foodbank.
The goal is to meet immediate need through the provision of a balanced diet of food, offering a range of non-perishable food and household items that we would all buy at the supermarket to last a week. The brand doesn’t matter but the best before date does. Every individual item has already been checked to ensure it is in date and suitable to be included in a parcel.
Having considered what is easy to cook, cheap to cook and tastes good, while offering a balanced diet, the menu is compiled depending on the time of year. Warm hot chocolate for the winter and refreshing juice in the summer, baking goods for colder months and icicle pops for the freezer to take us through the hotter days of summer.
Families are provided with bathing products for the whole family and personal hygiene items as well as household cleaning products.
What size?
Parcels come in different sizes. Small parcels are for families with one or two people, large for anything above three and extra large for those with teenagers and extended families. We also provide specialised parcels for those living in hotel accommodation and only have a kettle to ‘cook’ with.
The value of a small parcel is approximately £50, whilst a large parcel has a value of around £110.
And then it all depends…..
Once we meet a client we can establish how we can provide a bespoke parcel for that family. Beyond the standard parcel that caters for the size of household, additional products include cat and dog food, baby provisions such as nappies, wipes, baby cleaning products and baby food.
In addition we cater for specialist diets as well as limited cooking facilities. Every family is also provided with a bag full of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit to complement the ingredients for the meals in the parcel. If there are lots of teenagers we might provide extra cereal for after school snacks, juice and extra goodies.
The time of year dictates any other extras. With Easter we provide every family with Easter eggs, in the summer we provide summer holiday activities for children, particularly outdoor activities, and Christmas brings gifts and hampers. There might be a birthday or a new child in the family so we can provide gifts throughout the year for clients to give to other people.
And so full circle.
It can be very exciting if a client moves into a new home, but this can also cause financial distress. So we offer a ‘home starter pack’ that offers all the basics for the new home such as bedding, crockery, utensils, cooking equipment and cleaning equipment; all brand new.
A recent client said her house became a home when she was given a stunning throw and beautifully handmade cushions for her new living room. Not only was she offered food, but also support, furnishings, household items and most importantly; dignity.
What can you do?
Most importantly understand why foodbanks exist and who uses them. Most clients never expect to use them and their stories might one day be yours. Find out more on our Shrewsbury Foodbank Page.
Visit your local foodbank to find out what they do, how and why.
Converse with local politicians and decision makers to help them understand and consider those foodbanks work with when making policy.
MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham - Daniel Kawczynski
https://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/contact
Find your local MP
https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons
For your local town councillor
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
Donate: Support your local foodbank through donations of food, household items or financially.