Established in December 2013 the Droylsden & District Foodbank continues to be in great demand in our community.
2020 saw an overwhelming change in all our processes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As we became aware in early March that the level of support needed in the community had risen dramatically the Trustees considered the best and safest way to distribute the food.
All processes were moved to the warehouse. Both stock deliveries and distribution were now housed under one roof. Because of the shielding of many of our volunteers and following the completion of risk assessments the number of volunteers working within the warehouse was limited. The decision was made that clients were no longer able to collect their parcels and instead we moved to a delivery only model. Deliveries were made by Foodbank volunteers and ‘Homestart staff’.
Our website and Trussell Trust system were updated with the revised processes. All the Droylsden & District agencies who regularly referred to us were contacted and encouraged to move to ‘ereferrals’ and this process has continued during the year. Agencies across Greater Manchester can now refer clients to their nearest Foodbank not necessarily the Foodbank the agency signed up with. Because some referrals were being made to us for delivery outside our immediate area, and to comply with our CIO, the Trustees limited our area of delivery.
Trussell Trust donated two tablets to enable our processes to be completed within the warehouse as there is no wi-fi in the unit. These tablets continue to be in use and there is no cost to the Foodbank for data useage.
Whether our area was in full lockdown or in ‘Tiers’ the work of the Foodbank has not been interrupted and we have been able to provide for those in crisis in our community.
Our work has been generously supported by our community with food and cash donations. We have also received additional bulk food donations from Tesco and Morrison’s. We have received a number of grants from Government, the Local authority, charities, companies and individuals. Where stocks have been short for specific items we have purchased in bulk through an arrangement with Morrisons. In addition to providing core food items through the generosity of donations we have been able to provide families with additional items including, toilet rolls, toothbrushes and paste, some fresh food, Easter Eggs and Christmas presents.
The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester acknowledged the work of each volunteer with a letter of appreciation.
Below are some of the statistics for 2020 compared to 2019 which although not telling the whole story give an indication of the increased volume of work completed by the team and the increased need within the community.
| VOUCHER DETAILS | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| VOUCHERS REDEEMED | 878 | 367 |
| TOTAL NUMBER FED | 3163 | 1038 |
| of which | ||
| WERE CHILDREN | 1646 | 505 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
| STOCK DETAILS | 2020 | 2019 |
| STOCK IN | 18386.3kgs | 9321.1kgs |
19503.6kgs
8237.1kgs
STOCK OUT
The Trustees have continued to hold regular meetings on Zoom and have received updates on email.
Because of the generous cash grants and donations the bank balance has greatly increased and the Trustees have considered the future needs of the Foodbank . The future of the warehouse is unsure as the shopping precinct where the unit is situated has new owners. If there is any need to find new premises the funds may be needed. The future development of services within the Foodbank will also be considered in 2021.
The foodbank maintains appropriate accounts. Following the AGM the 2020 accounts and Trustee report will be submitted to the Charity Commission.
The Foodbank continues to adhere to the processes and procedures laid out in The Trussell Trust Foodbank Operating Manual.
The Droylsden & District Foodbank continues to be supported by the community and remains an integral part of emergency food provision throughout the area. It is a credit to our community, the region and indeed the network as a whole.
2020 has been both a challenging and rewarding year for all connected to the Foodbank. Wider publicity has thrown a spotlight on food poverty and discussions in many areas will continue into 2021 as strategies are developed at government, Trussell Trust and local level.
The Trustees and volunteers recognise the challenges that 2021 will bring and acknowledge that further development of strategies and processes may be required.
DROYISDEN & DISThICT FOODBANK ACCOUNT5 Flnanclal Statements for the year ended 3tst December 2020 T•WII 91 Top upsTrwthTr rjrnnis 91 li a49 7.J2 S1¢1 TTrx•I P• JJ2.50 and ean4 b•[4nC * IS Jin 2020 BALANCE SHEET Openini O•L•rtes •t tst rf116 sj J•?.$9 Vouth•is 56J.27 Ph2L,
Chrsstine P•rkin, 40 Ash Tree Avenue. Lwn ndent Examlnee R rtfor Th15 report on the accOts of the Dr(ylylen & Dtstrict FO(>ln& for the ye•r ended 31st Oecember 2020. R•spofislbllliles •nd basls of r•port As the charlty 1fttee$ of Lwn & Dist Foodb•nk v(w resp(SIble for the preYr•t1 ofthe accounts in accordance with the reqUIreIlts of the Charits Act 2011 Ilhe Art") I report in resm ol my examination ol the Trust's Kcounts urried out urnler sealon 145 of the 2011 ALt JrKI In c•rryin8 oui my examination I have follow all the applicable (lirertlons 8lven by the Charity Cornmissi( nder sertbon 145151{bl of ihe Aci lft connection wbth my emIn•t, fio m•tter h•$ corm to •ttenIl(. l. whkh 8lves me re4sthuble cau to bell that In any m•ted•l respert the rnqulrements - aCCOUnllng records *fe not kept In fespect ol the Tnt •$ required by sectlon 130 of the Act: or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requiremenis Concerni the forrn Jnd content of accounts. set out In the Charitles (Accounts and Reports) RrfultiM$ 2fA)8 other thon •ny requiremeni that t a¢¢ountS se a 'lrue and l•lT' Vlew which Is not ¥ matter c¢>nsldered Is p•rt ol an Independenl exlmlnatbon. 2. to whlth, In my oplnlon. attenllon shwkl be dr•wn In (xder lo emble • proptr ufiderstatxlhw ol the Slqned 06.19.21