Knighton Food Bank - what it is, how to refer

Knighton Food Bank.

Guide for Referral Agencies Contacting the Knighton Food Bank
Knighton Food Bank (KFB) provides an emergency resource offering
food bags to people suffering hardship as a result of a crisis that has
arisen. All items of food etc are donated by members of the public. In
addition, local shops are being asked to set aside an area where
containers can be left with a note asking shoppers to donate tinned and
dried purchases, including the FREE item when they have bought “buy
one - get one free”.

The economic recession has affected many people and residents of
Knighton & the surrounding villages are not immune. For some it can be
a struggle to put food on the table, especially when faced with a sudden
crisis. It could be the loss of a job, the break-up of a relationship, loss of
their home, sickness & disability, or the receipt of a huge fuel bill; the
result can be devastating for individuals and families.

From May 2013, KFB replaced the original voucher referral system with
a quicker & more efficient telephone referral model. Agencies and
support services can now make referrals by contacting Helen Anderson,
the food bank manager, direct on: 07731524058, who will then complete
the necessary paperwork over the phone.

Where possible, referral agencies & support workers will be asked to
collect the food parcel from the food bank in Knighton. If this is not
possible, the manager will discuss arrangements for the client to be
informed of when to call at the food bank in person.

Knighton Food Bank provides enough of tinned & dried goods plus
essential fresh items, to last a 3-day period. The food parcel can also
on request, include pet food, nappies & personal hygiene necessities.
Food parcels can be for singles, couples and families and where
possible, can cater for special dietary needs or baby foods.[3]
Criteria:

An emergency food parcel to cover for 3 days will be provided when at
least one of the following is criteria is met:
1. The Referral Agency confirm that a Crisis situation has arisen,
such as benefits being stopped or delayed; redundancy or job
loss; homelessness
2. A crisis payment has been refused and no money is available
to buy food, (to be confirmed, where possible, by Referral
Agency).
Additional Food Parcels:
A second food parcel can be provided when the referral agency
contacts the Food Bank by telephone, to confirm the expected
support services are not yet in place.

Notes for Referral Agencies:
1. Agencies /Support Workers wishing to make a referral should
contact the Food Bank Manager, Helen Anderson – 07731524058.
Messages left on this phone number will be checked regularly, in
addition to the regular food bank opening times of Tuesdays and
Thursdays: 9.30am – 11.30am. The address of the Food Bank is:
The Foyer, Knighton Baptist Church, Norton Street. Knighton.

2. Where the referral agency or support worker is unable to collect
the food parcel, the client will be provided with details of when to
call at the Food Bank themselves. They will be asked to provide
evidence of identification to the volunteers on duty.

3. Knighton Food Bank cannot deliver food parcels but will contact
the community support services in Knighton (eg community
transport scheme), if the client gives their permission.