Hertford & District Foodbank Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31st March 2024 Charity Number 1157028
Hertford & District Foodbank Trustees Report Year Ended 31st March 2024 Trustees Trustees serving throughout the period and since the year end are: Trustees Reverend David Ronco (Chair) Mrs Janet Linda Bird Mrs Cheryl Noreen Jackson Mrs Frances Jean Spence Mr David Alan Timson Mrs Heather Dawn Hookway Ms Frances Connolly (appointed 23 September 2023) Structure, Governance and Management Hertford & District Foodbank is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ("CIO") and became a registered charity (number 1157028) on 13th May 2014. The powers of appointment or removal of Trustees rest with the CIO. New Trustees are appointed for 3 years (renewable) and are primarily selected from the members of local churches. On being appointed, new Trustees spend time with the existing Trustees to ensure they understand the responsibilities and the legal and financial framework in which the Foodbank operates. Hertford & District Foodbank is a member of the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network which works in partnership with local churches and organisations to bring foodbanks to communities across the UK.
Objertives and Activities The Foodbank's objective is to distribute food and consumables to people from Hertford and the surrounding district in short term financial need. Food is donated Most of the food given out by the foodbank is donated. Often this is from schools, churches, businesses, individuals, or through supermarket collections. Supermarket collections help foodbanks engage the public. Fresh food has also been distributed, which is purchased weekly. Food Is sorted and stored Volunteers weigh and sort the donated food according to type and 'best before date,. They also check it is undamaged and suitable for use before packing it into boxes for storage. Frontline professionals Identify people in need Professionals from statutory and voluntary organisations such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau staff, welfare officers, the police and probation officers, identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Clients receive emergency food Clients requirements are covered by vouchers which are issued by agencies electronically. These allow for three days, supply of emergency food to be distributed. The list of foods in each parcel has been designed by dieticians to provide recipients with nutritionally balanced food. Clients are signposted to further support Foodbank volunteers signpost clients to agencies who can offer additional help and begin to resolve any underlying problems.
Achievements and Performance The Foodbank operates almost entirely with volunteers, who number around 48 presently. The Trustees acknowledge the huge contribution to the work of the Charity made by all the volunteers. During the period we received donated food totalling 40,IOlkgs, (at a value of £95,039). This is lower than last year reflecting the impact of prevailing economic conditions on donors. At the same time, demand increased with the number of food parcels issued to clients at 4,468, including 1,931 to children (2023 4,123 and 1,726 respectively). This was desplte an increase in availability of food locally from other organisations. As a consequence, we purchased twice as much basic stock than last year as well as fresh food. During the year we received a grant of £5,000 from the Adams Trust to buy food for clients in Ware. £3,831 was used in the year. During the year we distributed £3.235 (2023 £2,649) in emergency energy grants and £2,750 in fresh food vouchers (2023 £1,800) as a supplement to the food normally given out. Financial Review The Foodbank had a surplus of £9,121 in the period, bringing total funds to £127,105 of which £16,708 is represented by food stocks at 31st March 2024 and £110,397 in cash funds. £50,000 has been designated since the year end to cover the net costs of a 5 year lease to premises at Ware Priory. Income was driven by another exceptional year of donations totalling £151,280 (2022123 £169,102) - £56,241 in money and food to the value of £95,039. Food to the value of £96,185 (2022/23 £93,995) was distributed. Cash expenditure was £37,575 (2023 £35,811) comprising primarily food purchased of £18,610 a contribution of £1,000 to the United Reformed Church which houses the Hertford depot, £900 ser4ice charge on new premises at The Priory, Ware, offsite storage of £1,000, warehouse materials of £2,373 and insurance
premiums of £1,536. In addition to paying our part time worker, the trustees awarded honorariums totaling £3,030 to a small number of volunteers who continue to shoulder substantial workloads to ensure continuation of the foodbank's activities. Public Benefit In planning its activities, the Trustees have given regard to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit guidance. Chair of trustees 27 June 2024
HERTFORD & DISTRICT FOODBANK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HERTFORD & DISTRICT FOODBANK FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on the tollowing 5 pages Respective responsibilities of trustses and examiner The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to: examine the a¢counts under section 145 of the Charities Act. follow the procedures laid dovm in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act. and stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of indopondont oxaminerfs statement examination was carried out in accordance with general Directs-ons given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Gharity and a omparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair vie and the report is limited to those matters set OLrt in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statsment In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act" and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charrties Act have not been met,. or 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Philip Coleman 9th June 2024
Hertford & District Foodbank Statement of Financial Activities Period Ended 31st March 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Notes restricted Restricted funds funds Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income 146,280 5,000 151,280 169,103 Incoming resources from charitable activities Total incoming resources 146 280 5 000 151 280 174 029 Resources expended Charitable activities Staff costs 128,309 8,399 5,451 133.760 8.399 133,500 3,200 136 708 5 451 142 159 136 700 Net Incoming resources 9,572 (451) 9,121 37,329 Funds at the start of the year Funds at the end of the ear 110,323 7,661 117,984 80,655 119 895 127 105 117 984
Hertford & District Foodbank Balance Sheet At 31st March 2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 Notes Current assets Stock 16,708 Cash at bank and in hand 6 IILIL7 17,853 100 131 127 105 Total net assets Represented by: Funds and reserves Restritted funds Unrestricted funds 7,210 89 7,661 110 323 Approved on 27 June 2024 Chair of trustees Treasurer
Principal Accounting Policies Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis including stock donated and issued. Incoming resources All income is credited to the statement of financial activities on a received basis. Donations are credited to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are received as receipt is the earliest point at which entitlement is considered certain. Restricted grants and awards are included once the amount is reasonably certain to be received. The income is matched to the period of expenditure for grants extending beyond the financial year. Resources expended and the basis of apportioning costs Expenditure is charged to the statement of financial activities on an actual basis. Governance costs are negligible, and no separate cost has been identified. Fund accounting The Restricted Funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor-imposed condition. The General Fund represents unrestricted and undesignated monies used to fund working capital and which the organisation may use in furtherance of the charity's objectives.
I Voluntary income Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Donations in money Donations in kind food 51,241 95,039 5,000 56,241 95.039 71,645 97,457 146,280 5,000 151.280 169,102 2 Incoming resources from charitable activities Unrestricted Restritted funds funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Revaluation of stocks at year end 4,926 4,926 3 Cost of charitable activlties Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Premises storage fees Donation to Trussell Trust Warehouse materials Administration and general Stock purchases Food issued Other stock donated Energy grants Grant for food at Christmas Alone Insurance Van operating costs Electric charging point Honorariums Fresh food vouchers 1,000 1,000 360 1,653 2,536 14,779 86,346 9,839 3,235 900 1,900 1.000 360 2.373 2.536 18,610 86,346 9,839 3,235 1,500 1,500 360 1,805 1,178 18,610 75,126 18,869 2,649 966 1,605 1,961 1,560 3,900 1,800 720 3,831 1,536 245 1.536 245 3,030 2,750 3.030 2,750 128,309 5,451 133.760 133,500
4 Staff costs 2024 2023 staff costs during the year were as follows: Wages and salaries including pension Social security costs Total staff costs 8.351 3,200 8.399 3,200 It has not been possible to quantify the monetary value of the services of approximately 40 volunteers who give their time freely, providing a wide range of support to the charity. There was one employee during the period. 5 Stock 2024 2023 Food 16.708 17,853 16,708 17,853 6 Cash at bank and in hand 2024 2023 Bank accounts 110,348 99,853 Petty cash 50 278 110,397 100,131 7 Movements in funds At 1 April Incomlng 2023 resources Outgolhg rosources At 31 March 2024 Restricted funds Adams Trust (Food for Ware) 5,000 (3,831) 1,169 Ware foodbank project Total restricLed funds 7,661 5,000 (5,451) 7,210 Unrestricted funds General Fund 110,323 146,280 (136,708) 119,895