Truro Foodbank is a charity based in the Truro area and operating under the umbrella of the Trussell Trust. Our principles and those of Trussell Trust are shaped and guided by Christian principles to meet the needs of our neighbours in poverty.
Our Vision
Our vision is not only to meet the immediate needs of those who are hungry by provision of food, but to address the causes of poverty by provision of advice and assistance.
This reflects the Vision of The Trussell Trust which is “to end the need for foodbanks in the UK”.
Our Values
Our values are the fundamental driving principles that encapsulate the passion and motivation for our work. They have strong roots in Christian teaching and practice, whilst also being accessible and meaningful for people, whatever their background.
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Compassion: We stand in solidarity with people locally that need our help. We put their wellbeing above everything else. We always uphold and protect their dignity.
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Justice: We are motivated by a desire to see a more just society in the Truro area. It’s not right that anyone is facing hunger and poverty. Everyone should have enough income to afford the essentials.
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Community: We believe we share the responsibility to support one another in our community, and more broadly to work with other foodbanks both locally and nationally. To create change, we must work together for a fairer society.
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Dignity: We believe that every individual person matters and has innate worth. We seek to meet our customers’ needs regardless of background. We seek to address each person’s need for material provision, and just as importantly the need for self-worth.
Despite our overall aim that we should no longer need to exist, the demands on us as a charity are ever growing. Over the last 12 months we have continued to collect, sort and deliver more food to local hungry people than ever before – about double pre-pandemic levels. There is no sign given the economic predictions that demand will do anything but continue to increase. How much of that increase is a result of increased need and how much as a result of increased awareness of the service Truro Foodbank provides is difficult to discern.
Despite that increase we have not significantly altered our staffing or premises structure. However, the marked increase in demand has some profound consequences for us as an organisation. As Trustees we need to reflect on where we are, and how we need to adapt as an organisation.
The Treasurer’s Report and Simon’s weekly reports provide all the relevant facts and figures and I will not repeat them. This chair’s report is intended to focus our minds as trustees strategically.
Our proposed business plan sets out how we intend to address some of the recognised challenges over the next 3 years. The key issues where as trustees we need to think strategically are as follows:
Charity no. 1176281. Registered in England and Wales
Staff
Our staff team - Simon, Nick and Tracey - could not be more dedicated, willing or selfless. However, they are also tired: the amount of physical lifting involved is significantly greater simply because of the amount of food coming in and going straight out again. The amount of emotional interaction and energy that requires in dealing with people in dire straits cannot be ignored.
We therefore need to reflect on the role of our staff and ask ourselves some searching questions:
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where we are consistently paying a staff member overtime just so that they can meet the demands of the role, should we commit to an increase in basic hours?
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Do we need to consider any additional members of staff?
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Are there any adjustments we need to make for them (for example, providing access to massage or counselling)?
Volunteers
Our volunteers remain absolutely essential and we could not operate without their tireless assistance. To see the way that our staff enable them to work together as a team is extremely impressive.
Again, the increased demands mean that we need constantly to review our volunteer engagement and offering:
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How can we recruit volunteers who are not only willing but have the skills (often including physical strength) required?
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Do we expect too much from volunteers (some of whom are considerably past state pension age)?
Premises
Our current premises were only intended to be short term. The increased demands have highlighted that they are not fit for purpose: they can only be accessed via steps or a slope; there are internal steps.
The Trustees met at the start of January and agreed to rent suitable premises as soon as some can be located. There is very little available and so far nothing that meets our needs.
Finances
We are in the fortunate position that month on month our income exceeds our outgoings. That has enabled us to agree to commit to finding new premises knowing that assuming our income remains stable we can (just) afford a market rent in suitable premises, with a capital fund to cover rent for if funding letters dropped, and to pay for installation and set up costs.
Charity no. 1176281. Registered in England and Wales
We have accepted as trustees that whilst our preferred option is to purchase a suitable premises, we are not currently in a financial position to do so and the need to find new accommodation is pressing.
Historically as an organisation there has been some unease that we spend money on staffing (and soon premises) where perhaps donors consider that their gifts are spent on food. We need to accept that as we grow, part of the cost meeting the needs of local hungry people is paying for staff and accommodation to provide the service.
Increasingly we are spending significant sums on buying food to make up the difference between supply and demand. Last financial year we purchased 19kg of food; this year that has risen markedly to 1841kg. That comes at a considerable financial cost, and we need to ensure that we maintain sufficient reserves to meet those peaks in demand. As an indication of need, in 2021 we supplied 59 tons of food; in 2022 we supplied 75 tons.
Policies
As we grow the need to have appropriate policies in place is ever greater, creating in its turn a greater need for administration: compliance, reviews of existing policies, and financial checks and balances.
A Trustee or volunteer to assist with administration of the charity (as opposed to the day to day organisation carried out by our manager) is a growing need.
Jo Stone
Chair of Trustees
Charity no. 1176281. Registered in England and Wales
TRURO FOODBANK TRURO CORNWALL
CHARITY NUMBER 1176281 REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
BALME KITCHEN & PEARCE LTD
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 25 LEMON STREET TRURO CORNWALL
TRURO FOODBANK
CONTENTS
PAGE
- 1 TRUSTEES ’ REPORT
2 TREASURER’S REPORT 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 4/5 ACCOUNTS
TRURO FOODBANK
PAGE 1
TRUSTEES ’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER2022
ALL SAINTS CHURCH HIGHERTOWN TRESAWLS ROAD TRURO TR1 3LD
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1176281
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees:
The following Trustees have served during the year:
Jonathan Paul Stone Wendy Elizabeth Joy Vincent John Malcolm Henderson Donna Rosemarie Bryant Rowley Surridge Roger Paul Chilman Rev. Jill Edwards Elaine Parsons William Francis Haines
Independent Examiner: T J Dawson FCA Balme Kitchen & Pearce Ltd Chartered Accountants 25 Lemon Street TRURO Cornwall TR1 2LS Bankers: The Co-operative Bank PLC PO BOX 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Governing Document
– The Truro Foodbank is constituted by CIO FOUNDATION Registered 14 December 2017
Objects and Organisation
1) The prevention or relief of poverty in Truro and surrounding neighbourhoods by providing items and services to individuals in need, and to charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty, in such ways as the trustees think fit. In furtherance of these objects, to supply to beneficiaries, either directly or through agency partners approved by the Trustees, food boxes containing primarily tinned or dried foods, ensuring a healthy balanced and nutritious diet, sufficient for up to three days. 2) to engage in any other activities consistent with the primary purpose of the charity including, but not limited to, the provision of counselling and other advisory services.
PAGE 2
TEB - AGM -31st January 2023 - Treasurer's Report
In light of the cost of living crisis and the need to make plans for moving the stores in the very near future it is good to see that the bank balance has increased in 2021 from £81,573 to £136,626 and in 2022 to £222,656. This is split with the majority in the Co-op Business Banking account, a Virgin Money savings account (£8,000) and a very small balance in a second Co-op account which still receives some standing order donations which have not been transferred to the new account. At the start of the year, we looked at savings accounts, but interest rates were low and it was, and still is, difficult to know for how long to lock up money whilst the possibility of purchasing a site for the stores remains. We will look at it again though.
A large proportion of the income is now coming from the CAF 'button' on the website. On these donations any Gift Aid comes direct with the payments. This currently provides 73 regular monthly donations totalling £2,140 compared with 65 totalling £1,710 at the same point last year.
There are 35 regular donations direct to the TB account on which Gift Aid can be claimed, totalling £1,300, plus Gift Aid of £340 and a further 21 regular donations per month, totalling £600, on which Gift Aid cannot be claimed. This gives us a monthly income from regular donations of £4,380 up from £3,000 last year.
In addition to increased personal donations, schools, businesses and churches have been particularly generous in the lead up to Christmas.
There has been an increase in the donations from Tesco which is based on the quantity of food donated through their stores. The Strategic Resources Grant is the payment for the second year of the grant for this vital work. The other grants are £5,000 from the Trussell Trust for the purchase of food and £1,500 from Sembrador for the fruit and vegetable vouchers.
We will look at options for placing more of the funds for better rates of interest when we are able to discuss further the timing of future plans for premises.
The wages have increased due to additional hours to cover the increase in workload, pay increases and strategic work (which is covered by the Strategic Resources Grant).
Office expenses have been further split down this year. The 'office expenses' total includes office sundries, volunteer refreshments for Tesco special collection days, video work for use at events, etc. Equipment for 2022 includes stores storage equipment.
The property service charge remains the same as the previous year, the reduction showing here is just an issue of timing in the receipt of invoices.
Van expenses includes DVLA, insurance, fuel and various repairs including the cambelt.
The food expenses were mainly for fruit and vegetable vouchers, although some general food purchases were required. The Trussell Trust and Sembrador grants received at the end of 2022 will be used in 2023.
The provision of fuel vouchers for those in fuel poverty, and eating utensils and plastic plates are a new cost this year reflecting the increased needs of customers.
The 'Perranporth Fund' - An estimate of costs attributable to the delivery of food to Perranporth Parish suggests that it would be reasonable to write this down by £500 for the 2022 year.
In order to plan for the replacement of the van at some point in the future it might be considered prudent to add another £2,000 to the van 'sinking fund'?
Three quarters of the Strategic Resources Grant for the April to March year has been used by the end of December as expected.
PAGE 3
TRURO FOODBANK
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TRURO FOODBANK
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 4/5.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: -
-
Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the act);
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the act and
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To state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that;
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proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act) and;
-
accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
T J Dawson FCA Balme Kitchen & Pearce Ltd Chartered Accountants 25 Lemon Street TRURO Cornwall TR1 2LS
Date: 7 December 2023
Truro Foodbank - Accounts for the Year - 1st January to 31st December 2022
| PAGE 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Bank balance brought forward | 136,626 | 81,573 | |
| Income | |||
| Donations - GA claimable | 13,016 | 22,015 | |
| Small donations - GA claimable (GASDS) | 904 | 869 | |
| GA claimed | 3,063 | 3,613 | |
| GA not claimable | 11,883 | 5,782 | |
| CAF 'button' | 65,765 | 49,685 | |
| Schools / Businesses / Churches | 26,250 | 14,877 | |
| Fundraising | 4,454 | ||
| Tesco donation | 4,745 | 2,294 | |
| Grants | 6,500 | 235 | |
| SRG Grant | 9,100 | 9,100 | |
| Furlough | 0 | 1,014 | |
| Interest | 21 | 11 | |
| 145,702 | 109,495 | ||
| Expenditure | |||
| Trussell Trust | 360 | -360 | |
| Wages (incl pension) | 44,148 | 40,111 | |
| Office expenses | 1,445 | 3,148 | |
| Mileage | 467 | ||
| Water | 200 | ||
| Rates | 491 | ||
| Mobile phone | 720 | ||
| Insurance | 560 | ||
| Equipment (incl uniform) | 675 | 2,372 | |
| Property service charge (Workman /Vickery | 3,401 | 4,836 | |
| Holman) | |||
| Van expenses | 1,990 | 2,402 | |
| Fruit and Veg (and other food) | 4,231 | 1,933 | |
| Fuel | 820 | ||
| Cooking equipment | 163 | ||
| 59,672 | 54,442 | ||
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | 86,030 | 55,053 | |
| Bank balance carried forward | 222,656 | 136,626 | |
| Funds Specifically | Allocated | ||
| Perranporth Fund | 500 | 1,000 | |
| Sembrador Fund | 1,500 | 0 | |
| Van (Sinking fund) | 6,000 | 4,000 | |
| Strategic Resources Grant | 2,275 | 3,100 | |
| Trussell Trust Grant (for food) | 5,000 | ||
| General Reserve | 207,381 | 128,526 |
Truro Foodbank - Accounts for the Year - 1st January to 31st December 2022
PAGE 5
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on and were signed on their behalf by:
………………………………..
TRURO FOODBANK TRURO CORNWALL
CHARITY NUMBER 1176281 REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
BALME KITCHEN & PEARCE LTD
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 25 LEMON STREET TRURO CORNWALL
TRURO FOODBANK
CONTENTS
PAGE
- 1 TRUSTEES ’ REPORT
2 TREASURER’S REPORT 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 4/5 ACCOUNTS
TRURO FOODBANK
PAGE 1
TRUSTEES ’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER2022
ALL SAINTS CHURCH HIGHERTOWN TRESAWLS ROAD TRURO TR1 3LD
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1176281
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees:
The following Trustees have served during the year:
Jonathan Paul Stone Wendy Elizabeth Joy Vincent John Malcolm Henderson Donna Rosemarie Bryant Rowley Surridge Roger Paul Chilman Rev. Jill Edwards Elaine Parsons William Francis Haines
Independent Examiner: T J Dawson FCA Balme Kitchen & Pearce Ltd Chartered Accountants 25 Lemon Street TRURO Cornwall TR1 2LS Bankers: The Co-operative Bank PLC PO BOX 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Governing Document
– The Truro Foodbank is constituted by CIO FOUNDATION Registered 14 December 2017
Objects and Organisation
1) The prevention or relief of poverty in Truro and surrounding neighbourhoods by providing items and services to individuals in need, and to charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty, in such ways as the trustees think fit. In furtherance of these objects, to supply to beneficiaries, either directly or through agency partners approved by the Trustees, food boxes containing primarily tinned or dried foods, ensuring a healthy balanced and nutritious diet, sufficient for up to three days. 2) to engage in any other activities consistent with the primary purpose of the charity including, but not limited to, the provision of counselling and other advisory services.
PAGE 2
TEB - AGM -31st January 2023 - Treasurer's Report
In light of the cost of living crisis and the need to make plans for moving the stores in the very near future it is good to see that the bank balance has increased in 2021 from £81,573 to £136,626 and in 2022 to £222,656. This is split with the majority in the Co-op Business Banking account, a Virgin Money savings account (£8,000) and a very small balance in a second Co-op account which still receives some standing order donations which have not been transferred to the new account. At the start of the year, we looked at savings accounts, but interest rates were low and it was, and still is, difficult to know for how long to lock up money whilst the possibility of purchasing a site for the stores remains. We will look at it again though.
A large proportion of the income is now coming from the CAF 'button' on the website. On these donations any Gift Aid comes direct with the payments. This currently provides 73 regular monthly donations totalling £2,140 compared with 65 totalling £1,710 at the same point last year.
There are 35 regular donations direct to the TB account on which Gift Aid can be claimed, totalling £1,300, plus Gift Aid of £340 and a further 21 regular donations per month, totalling £600, on which Gift Aid cannot be claimed. This gives us a monthly income from regular donations of £4,380 up from £3,000 last year.
In addition to increased personal donations, schools, businesses and churches have been particularly generous in the lead up to Christmas.
There has been an increase in the donations from Tesco which is based on the quantity of food donated through their stores. The Strategic Resources Grant is the payment for the second year of the grant for this vital work. The other grants are £5,000 from the Trussell Trust for the purchase of food and £1,500 from Sembrador for the fruit and vegetable vouchers.
We will look at options for placing more of the funds for better rates of interest when we are able to discuss further the timing of future plans for premises.
The wages have increased due to additional hours to cover the increase in workload, pay increases and strategic work (which is covered by the Strategic Resources Grant).
Office expenses have been further split down this year. The 'office expenses' total includes office sundries, volunteer refreshments for Tesco special collection days, video work for use at events, etc. Equipment for 2022 includes stores storage equipment.
The property service charge remains the same as the previous year, the reduction showing here is just an issue of timing in the receipt of invoices.
Van expenses includes DVLA, insurance, fuel and various repairs including the cambelt.
The food expenses were mainly for fruit and vegetable vouchers, although some general food purchases were required. The Trussell Trust and Sembrador grants received at the end of 2022 will be used in 2023.
The provision of fuel vouchers for those in fuel poverty, and eating utensils and plastic plates are a new cost this year reflecting the increased needs of customers.
The 'Perranporth Fund' - An estimate of costs attributable to the delivery of food to Perranporth Parish suggests that it would be reasonable to write this down by £500 for the 2022 year.
In order to plan for the replacement of the van at some point in the future it might be considered prudent to add another £2,000 to the van 'sinking fund'?
Three quarters of the Strategic Resources Grant for the April to March year has been used by the end of December as expected.
PAGE 3
TRURO FOODBANK
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TRURO FOODBANK
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 4/5.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: -
-
Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the act);
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the act and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that;
-
proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act) and;
-
accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
-
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
T J Dawson FCA Balme Kitchen & Pearce Ltd Chartered Accountants 25 Lemon Street TRURO Cornwall TR1 2LS
Date: 7 December 2023
Truro Foodbank - Accounts for the Year - 1st January to 31st December 2022
| PAGE 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Bank balance brought forward | 136,626 | 81,573 | |
| Income | |||
| Donations - GA claimable | 13,016 | 22,015 | |
| Small donations - GA claimable (GASDS) | 904 | 869 | |
| GA claimed | 3,063 | 3,613 | |
| GA not claimable | 11,883 | 5,782 | |
| CAF 'button' | 65,765 | 49,685 | |
| Schools / Businesses / Churches | 26,250 | 14,877 | |
| Fundraising | 4,454 | ||
| Tesco donation | 4,745 | 2,294 | |
| Grants | 6,500 | 235 | |
| SRG Grant | 9,100 | 9,100 | |
| Furlough | 0 | 1,014 | |
| Interest | 21 | 11 | |
| 145,702 | 109,495 | ||
| Expenditure | |||
| Trussell Trust | 360 | -360 | |
| Wages (incl pension) | 44,148 | 40,111 | |
| Office expenses | 1,445 | 3,148 | |
| Mileage | 467 | ||
| Water | 200 | ||
| Rates | 491 | ||
| Mobile phone | 720 | ||
| Insurance | 560 | ||
| Equipment (incl uniform) | 675 | 2,372 | |
| Property service charge (Workman /Vickery | 3,401 | 4,836 | |
| Holman) | |||
| Van expenses | 1,990 | 2,402 | |
| Fruit and Veg (and other food) | 4,231 | 1,933 | |
| Fuel | 820 | ||
| Cooking equipment | 163 | ||
| 59,672 | 54,442 | ||
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | 86,030 | 55,053 | |
| Bank balance carried forward | 222,656 | 136,626 | |
| Funds Specifically | Allocated | ||
| Perranporth Fund | 500 | 1,000 | |
| Sembrador Fund | 1,500 | 0 | |
| Van (Sinking fund) | 6,000 | 4,000 | |
| Strategic Resources Grant | 2,275 | 3,100 | |
| Trussell Trust Grant (for food) | 5,000 | ||
| General Reserve | 207,381 | 128,526 |
Truro Foodbank - Accounts for the Year - 1st January to 31st December 2022
PAGE 5
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on and were signed on their behalf by:
………………………………..