2024-09-30-accounts - Hatfield Foodbank

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] October 2023 to 30[th] September 2024

Charity name: Hatfield Foodbank

Charity registration number: 1174288

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The relief of financial hardship amongst people in Hatfield and the surrounding area or in other parts of the United Kingdom in such ways as the Trustees from time to time think fit - in particular, but not exclusively by: a) providing emergency food, essential toiletries etc to individuals and families in need and/or for distribution by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty; b) such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services and to provide such services with a Christian ethos, supported by churches in Hatfield. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable .
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	During this, our seventh year of operation, we have: - collected 46.3 tonnes (previous year 56.7 tonnes) of food from supermarkets, schools, businesses and other individuals, and given out 70.3 tonnes (previous year 68.3 tonnes). It’s easy to see that there has been a significant drop in donations coupled with a modest growth in demand. This means that we’ve had to buy in over 22 tonnes of food too (previous year 13 tonnes). Fortunately we have been supported by financial donations from individuals and organisations, with grants from our local County Council and especially Borough Council by our local council WHBC being critical for us. We also spent money from the significant legacy we received in July 2023 which has enabled us to further support localpeople in

		need by giving out gif cards. - we’ve also contnued with our amazing group of around 35 or so volunteers, - opened every week to serve those who were/are struggling in our local community (we achieved this even throughout Covid) - provided 9163 people (previous year 8777 people) in Hatield and the surrounding area (including 3257 children – previous year was 3385 children) [who were referred to us through our partner agencies] with emergency food parcels. These fgures are again an increase on previous years. Relieving hunger amongst over 9000 of our ‘neighbours’ is an amazing thing to be able to achieve – thank you volunteers and referring agencies. (We work with over 100 agencies, who can refer their clients to the Foodbank as necessary… schools, doctors’ surgeries, housing associatons, Citzens Advice, the Council, churches – essentally anyone who may come across those in our community who are struggling). We’ve been able to contnue this year (started Spring 2022) – with the assistance of a signifcant grant from Trussell Trust – with having a Citzens Advice worker present at all our foodbank sessions. He speaks to all clients who want his tme…he’s a specialist in benefts, debt etc; the aim is to deal with clients’ issues at source wherever that’s possible and helpful to clients. We pay his salary (via the grant which we top up), and CA report quarterly on the growing number of clients helped with benefts or debt relief etc.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneft

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Hatield Foodbank does not make grants
Policyon social investment	Para 1.38	We do not make investments (one bank [current] account and a linked deposit account for wise stewardship (i.e. toget some bank

including program related investment		interest rather than leave funds only in a current account).
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The foodbank contnues to be run almost _entrely_by volunteers. (We had one part tme employee manager during the year – much needed due to the growing demands). We are extremely grateful for all of our wonderful team of volunteers! Processing the donatons given very generously especially at peak periods (Easter, Harvest Festval and, partcularly, Christmas) is challenging, but done again successfully this year thanks to the treless eforts of our manager, and a number of our volunteers and even trustees
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	In terms of identfying the diference that the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its benefciaries, the comments above really say it all…..over 9100 people fed including nearly 3300 children with over 70 tonnes of food, toiletries etc. These are signifcant demands on our workload - the impact of the economic issues experienced around the country manifests itself clearly at Hatield Foodbank. Some of the detail of our work includes: We contnued our work with:  a warehouse which contnues to have stocks well below what we saw in our frst few years. This is perhaps not surprising given the increased demands; we contnue to give out more food than is donated. Fortunately we are able to get grants from a number of sources to enable us to buy in food to make up the shortall. Some donatons from some sources remain strong.  backed by excellent admin - our annual stocktake (all food etc is weighed in & out to ensure and demonstrate propriety) showed a very small margin of error demonstratng good warehouse management.  Tesco – with whom we have a partcularly good relatonship

	the local Waitrose who have also been
	very generous, and
	Asda across the road where the newer
	relatonship contnues to develop year
	on year (and which has improved
	signifcantly following the appointment
	of an excellent and supportve new community champion), with donatons
	increasing across all three – our thanks
	go to customers of all three
	supermarkets
	successful one-of donaton drives
	(including charity events at Tesco) as
	well as the regular weekly donatons.
	Christmas, Harvest Festval and Easter donatons from all parts of the
	community (many local schools,
	churches & businesses (fuller list
	below)
	WHBC have also helped with generous
	grants without which we’d have
	struggled.
The queues at our doors each week have
grown signifcantly, and the diference we are
making to many lives in the local community is
noteworthy. We hear (and record
anonymously) stories of what a signifcant diference we’ve made to those who had
nothingto eat and no wayof buyingin food.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Despite a growing need to buy in food & toiletries, thanks to some generous grants, some one-of donatons during the year, and the consistent giving by others month by month & year by year, the charity is in a sound fnancial positon, although if giving/grants reduced, we would struggle within a year. 70% of our income was from grants; there is no guarantee that these will be available annually, though we contnue to apply. We need cash as well as donatons of food/toiletries because we have to buy in items which are donated less frequently in order to make up balanced food parcels detailed by Trussell Trust_and, especially this year, we’ve_ had to buy in 22 tonnes of food over & above _donatons._Thus we have, as ever, valued both cash and food donatons this year; both have a great part to play in supportng those who are strugglingat any given tme.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Charity’s policy on reserves has been simply to carry sufcient to ensure the ability to buy what is needed to contnue to tde us for as long as reasonably possible if grants slowed down/dried up, pay our one part tme employee (manager), purchase food for clients, pay a modest rent etc. The bank balances at 30/9/2024 of £120,710 may seem high, but this included restricted funds of: - £21307 designated for the Citzen’s Advice project employee as mentoned above. This was paid out right at the start of the next accountng year (on 1/10/2024) when the £24687 bill came in from Citzens Advice. - £18658 of WHBC grants of which £18k was only received in August & September (all of which will have been spent on stock etc by 31/3/2025) - the residue of the legacy We believe we can contnue to serve our community for at least 6 months whatever happens, and to cope with any emergencies which arise
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Our bank accounts (one current and one interest-bearing deposit account) had around £120k funds – made up of £66.3k restricted (incl legacy) and 53.7k unrestricted funds at the end of theyear. Cash on hand was £0.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	No deficits

Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	No uncertainty; charity appears to be on a reasonably sound fnancial footng thanks to generous donatons/grants, and our amazing unpaid volunteers. We plan to contnue to work closely with the local Citzens Advice in the coming year in order to address at the root some of the challenges facing our clients. The associated cost, is expected to be covered by a grant from Trussell Trust with a small balance coming from our own resources or from third party grants where we can obtain these. This Trussell grant is scheduled to end in the next year or so, which presents a fund-raising challenge if we are to contnue to have CA staf on site to helpclients.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Partcularly generous donors have included: Grants from Natonal Lotery Community Fund, WHBC Household Support Fund, & Annual Community Grant, Herts Community Foundaton, & Trussell Trust re the CA project – and a generous gif from WHBC’s Mayor’s Fund Tesco, Waitrose, and Asda and their customers – including “top-up” payments received from the supermarkets via Trussell Trust. This is a scheme whereby supermarkets donate the profts they make from people buying food to donate to the foodbank. Local schools, churches & businesses such as Mintel Group Ltd, Co-op Local Community Fund, The Neighbourly/Sainsbury’s, Proft Impact, Poters Bar Tangent Club, Old Hatield Residents Associaton, Macs Hart Trust/Red Lion and others personal/via Stewardship (ofen via our website), Charites Aid Foundaton, Charites Trust etc. Many personal donors have made one-of contributons which has really helped us A number of personal donors have started making (and contnue to make) regular donatons which is also_much_ appreciated, and makes a huge diference. We could not do our work without the generous giving or personal and corporate donors; thank you all again. In additon, we receive a number of one-of donatons at key tmes in the year (in partcular, Christmas)
Investment policy and objectives includingany		We don’t make investments.

social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The only risks of any significance facing the charity are: 1. demand has continued its growth this year – albeit at a slower rate. But, as mentioned above, donations dropped materially, though we have been able to use grant money to make up the shortfall. As reported earlier in this report, we’ve bought continue to buy in significant amounts of food – 22 tonnes this year costing us over £36000. In the first three months of the following year we bought in £10,000 – nearly as much as in the first SIX months of the previous year. Fortunately our amazing old & new donors have, so far, continued their great generosity so that we have had sufficient to give to all who have “come our way” (been referred our way by our amazing referral agencies). We are so grateful to the generosity of personal, business, and company donors. 2. if its use of Gracemead House in the town centre was somehow to come to an end. Gracemead is conveniently located for volunteers and clients alike, and at a very reasonable rent. That said, firstly there seems little prospect of this happening given that two of the trustees have significant influence over allowing the continued use of Gracemead. And secondly, trustees believe that another suitable location would be found in any event.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Elected by members

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Hatfield Foodbank
Other name the charity uses	none
Registered charity number	1174288
Charity’s principal address	Gracemead House, Gracemead House, Woods Avenue, Hatield AL10 8HX

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Heather Jane Dyce	Trustee	Wholeyear
Obafemi Oludare	Trustee	1/10/2023 to 1/9/2024
Michael Laurence Dyce	Treasurer	Whole year
Colin GeoffreyHill	Chair of Trustees	Whole Year
Alex Masters	Trustee	Whole Year

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets none held in this capacity

Name and objects of the none charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for none safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Dominic Long – Foodbank Manager (part time)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

n/a

Other optional information

We are a Trussell Trust foodbank – hence there being no entries under “advisers” above – Trussell provide excellent support and advice at the end of a phone (or email).

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Colin Hill (signed M L Dyce (signed electronically) electronically) Michael Laurence Dyce Full name(s) Colin Geoffrey Hill

Position (eg Secretary, Chair of Trustees Treasurer Chair, etc)

Date

12/1/2025

CHARITY COMMIS510N FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Charity Namo Hatfield Foodbank No Ilf any} 1174288 Recei ts and pa ments accounts CC16a For tho porlod from Period start dale 0111012023 To Pertod end dale 3010912024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted fund8 Restricted funds to th• n¢aro$t £ Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest to the no#roSt £ to the nearost £ to th8 neargst £ A1 Recèl ts Grants Tesco lop-upffrussell Te5co collections lewar 97,580 97,580 8,728 318 87,230 7,980 410 8,726 318 nation ay giving BusinesslCompanylRolary Club donations personal donations Gift Aid tax rebate food'sales, & person81 donation$ bank intefesl *undries 15,179 15.179 19,S40 6,182 6,182 4,673 377 960 314 377 960 314 8S4 3,749 ross income or AR) 43.826 97.580 141,406 139,324 8se an See table . nve8 men sa tota Total recelpts 43,826 97,580 141,406 139,324 A3Pa ment8 Employee ¢osls & warehousing Citizens Advi¢e project EquipmenUcupb03rdslcarpeVshelving Running costs- utilities. bin & phone Running costs- rent & repairs Running costs- stationery & poslage Food Purchases lincl toilelriesl Gift Card purchases (from legacy) Volunteer expenses Insurance Cleanin9 Information Commissioner5 Office training sessions and expenses independent ¢heck cost5 Sundrias 19,086 19,088 48,375 616 3,261 7,680 949 36,316 5,188 296 248 18,452 47,971 6,413 7,096 2,720 607 16.724 3.528 216 203 46,375 616 3.261 7,680 949 5,635 30,681 S,188 296 248 3S 197 35 197 35 120 35 38,039 35 122,283 23 104,108 Sub total 84,244 A4 Asset and Inve8tment Sub total Total payments 38,039 84,244 122,283 104,108 Net of receiptsl(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 5,787 13,336 19,123 35,216 48,573 54,360 53,015 66,350 101,5 120,710 66,371 101,587 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 2511012024

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrlctod funds Reslrlctod lunds to nearost £ Endowmonl fund8 to nearest £ Categorles Details to nearest É B1 Cash funds 8ank currenvdeposil acc(xinl 54.360 66,350 Total cash funds 54,360 66,350 lagreo balAh¢O8 willi iecÉiyt$ Pciynien15 accounii511 1)rf ()K QK Endowmpnt funds ¢0 noarost É Unre81rlcled lund8 to noar&st £ Restrlcted funds to noare$t £ Details Funtl to whl¢h 888oI boron Current ¥81119 Dola518 C08t Iopiionall Fund lo whl¢h a88et bolon Dolalls Co•1 lopllonall Curiant value 84 Assets rètalnod for the charlty's own use Fuiid to whlch rolat05 Aniount duo When due Dola115 BS Llabllitles Signed by one or fv40 Iruslees on behalf ol all the Irusle&s Dale of roval Signature Piinl Name fvl.L.bYCL_- BYLVDJ CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2511012024

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts ••• Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Hatfield Foodbank On accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 Charity no (if any) 1174288 Set out on pages 1and2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3010912024. Responslbllities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: Name: Keith Grover Relevant professional qualification(s) or body: Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Address: 1 Hunt Close, St. Albans. Herts. AL4 9JH IER Oct 2018