2022-12-31-accounts - Brecon Food Bank

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Charity Name: Brecon Food Bank

Registration Number: 1157203

Address: St. John Centre, Pendre, Brecon LD3 9EA (taken out old school rectory not part of our address)

Trustees Names: Jane Eason, Elisabeth Lifford, Rev Mark Clavier, Susan Williams, Alun Hutchinson, Lucinda Bugler, Jacqueline Boarer (Chair).

Chairs Annual Report (2022)

Overview

During 2022, the number of clients visiting the Foodbank exceeded all previous years as we supported 1,292 adults and 923 children. We experienced a 50% increase in clients compared to 2021 and volumes were 20% greater than our previous highest year (2020) when the Covid 19 pandemic was at its height.

The Foodbank received 23,487.85kgs of food and toiletries over the year and distributed 24,869kgs (an increase of 20% on 2021). Food donations came from local businesses as well as members of the public via direct collections points (47%). Stock requirements, for the increased client numbers, were also supplemented by monetary donations which enabled us to purchase 4493.3kgs of food (19.02%).

Despite an increased number of clients over 2022, and a 61% increase in running costs over the year, our financial position is still strong. At the end of this year, we had nearly a 40% increase in receipts made up predominantly by donations (including gift aid) plus some grants and fund-raising events. Importantly, despite increased costs during 2022, we are pleased to report that going into 2023 our cash funds were up nearly 24%.

Running the Foodbank

As a result of decreased levels of Covid in the community and a general trend towards face-to-face activities, we were able to return to previous practices of local residents visiting the Foodbank in Brecon in March. This reduced the number of food parcels being delivered and enabled us to support a higher number of clients across Brecon and Hay on Wye.

With our positive income position at the end of 2022, we decided to continue to provide a £10 SPAR voucher (general grocery store) with each food parcel provided. This alongside meat vouchers enabled clients to purchase fresh food to supplement the standard tinned and dried goods provided. In addition, local allotments donated fresh produce during the summer and autumn which were offered to clients when they visited the foodbank on a “help yourself at your own risk” basis.

In terms of processes, during 2022 we implemented the Trussell Trust’s e-voucher referral system which provided useful information to the Foodbank enabling staff to know in advance how many potential clients

might visit at any one session; and also, whether on-going referrals to partner agencies would further support specific clients (e.g. energy efficiency advice, housing support, budgeting, etc.). That said, we still had a large proportion of clients who just “walked-in”; over the year, this amounted to around 180 of parcels packed (22.4%), which increased the pressure on volunteers servicing the Foodbank.

During 2022, in addition to our 2 part-time staff and 7 trustees, we had 42 volunteers who have supported our work. We wish to thank them for their continued support, particularly in response to increasing client numbers.

Referral Agencies

Over the year, 72 partner agencies referred clients to the Foodbank; the same as 2021. The main reason for referrals were low income (315 vouchers), followed by “other” (189) (which would have included Ukrainian refugees) and benefit delays (87) - this was a slight change on the previous year where low income (205 vouchers), and “other” (118) were the same two primary reasons followed by domestic violence (59).

Our reputation with partner agencies and the local community continued to improve over the year; and now means that the Foodbank has become an integral part of the “wrap around” service offered to those experiencing food poverty. During 2022, the largest proportion of clients came from Brecon (65%) with a quarter (25%) of clients residing in Hay, Talgarth, Glasbury and other communities around Brecon including 10% from Sennybridge.

Importantly, there has been a continued increase in representatives of some agencies regularly attending our sessions to give help to any needing it; and positively we can ask ‘walk-ins’ to talk to a representative from a referral agency if they are available.

Jackie Boarer Date: Chair

BRECON FOOD BANK Charity no. 1157203 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUTr4T for the period l January 2022 to 31 December 2022 2022 2021 UDrestrieted Restricted TotAI Funds Funds Funds Receipts Fund raising events Donations External grants Gift aid Paypal Giving fund 1.981 57.394 8,054 6.)95 181 1,981 57,394 14,581 6.395 181 63 6,527 IE.373 7.472 Total receipts 74,005 6,527 80.532 57.582 Pavments Slaty salaries and expenses Adminislration: stationery and printing Purchase of computer St John's Famil}, Centre Warehouse. hall & office Insurance Community, fridge Purchase of food Food i'oucher5 Horneless packs Period Poverty iiems Wellbeing packs Easter. Jubilee & Christmas items Tnlssell Trusi fees 19,696 1,540 718 20,414 1.540 13,898 1.454 1,014 5,685 4,075 263 185 4.623 1.400 591 130 500 2,184 360 6.)50 1,132 268 1.886 8,059 9,)93 6,550 1.132 268 1,886 13,059 10,920 5.000 1,527 259 942 .201 1.626 360 1.626 360 Total pavment$ 50.769 8.187 58,956 36,362 Net reeeiptsl (pavments) 23.236 (1.660) 21,576 21.220 Cash funds last year end 88,393 1.660 90,053 68,833 Cash funds this year end 111,629 111.629 90.053 Statement of Assets At 31 December 2022 Unrestrieted Funds Restrieted Fullds Cash Funds Lloyds Bank 111.629 Signed on behalf of the Truslees:_ Signature.. Date of approval:....... Li)cINDft BJGLtR Printname:............................

BRECON FOOD BANK Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of Bre£on Food Bank I report to the trustees on mv examination of the accounts of the above charity { the Tnt") for the vear ended 31 December ?022 wthich are set out on pag¢ l. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparalion of the accounts in accordance M'Èth the requirements of ihe Charitie5 Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in cam'ing out m5, examinalion I have follo,ed ihe applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiller's statement I have conTrpleted my examination. I Conf that no material matters have Come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that, in any material re$cl._ accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act: or the accounts do not accord with the accounting recoids. I have no concerns, and have come across no other matters. in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. N J .Morrell B.Com., FCA Bishop House 10 Wheat StTeet Brecon Po.Y$ LD) 7DG