2026-03-31-accounts - The Community Cupboard

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THE COMMUNITY CUPBOARD

CHARITY NUMBER: 1185331

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR YEAR END 31st March 2026

This Annual Financial Report presents a review of the period 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026, reporting on our financial performance and financial position, to demonstrate the Trustees’ stewardship and management of charitable funds.

Annual Financial Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2026

The Trustees and staff of The Community Cupboard once again wish to express their sincere appreciation of the contribution made by volunteers and donors during yet another hectic year, without which none of our achievements would have been possible.

Reference and administrative details

Charity Name: The Community Cupboard	Charity Name: The Community Cupboard
Registered Address: The Community Cupboard, Gamecock Meadow, London
Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6EL
Charity Number: 1185331
Principal office: England.
Constitution: Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
whose only voting members are its charity trustees.
	Date of constitution (last amended): 15th August 2019
Liability: If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have
	no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal
	responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
Trustees: Vee McGannon, Amy Eley, Adrian Wenn, James
	Gower
Staff: Tracy Wood - Manager
Lynda Harrison - Senior Support Assistant
Sophie Fenlon - Support Assistant
Victoria Evans - Senior Support Assistant
Bankers: Metro Bank, Unit 4, Nugent Retail Park,
	Orpington, Bromley, BR5 3RP
	The Charity Bank Limited
	Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BE
	CAF Bank
	25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent
	ME19 4JQ

The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2026.

The Community Cupboard

Objective & Purpose

The Community Cupboards charitable objects are:

To relieve persons in North West Kent and surrounding areas, that are in financial hardship, in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time think fit. In particular but not exclusively by:

a) providing emergency food supplies, essential toiletries and other household items both to

individuals and families in need and to other charities or organisations working to prevent poverty.

b) Such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant advisory services or information.

The Community Cupboard is an independent charity and a member of IFAN (Independent Food Aid Network). As an independent registered charity & CIO, all operations are in accordance with the governing document known as The Constitution of The Community Cupboard. Working in partnership with local and regional agencies, The Community Cupboard operates from:

The Community Cupboard, Gamecock Meadow, London Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6EL and:

The Community Cupboard. Elim Church. 36a Cherry Ave, Swanley. BR8 7DX

The Community Cupboard operates with 4 employed staff and a team of IRO 45 regular volunteers.

Accepting referrals from supporting agencies and self-referrals, users do not require a food voucher to request support and are supplied with 5 days emergency provisions. There is no limit to the number of times they can access the support, but users are signposted to external agencies for remedial support.

The Community Cupboard is operational 6 days a week, across 2 premises.

- Summary of Activities April 6th, 2025, to March 31st, 2026

This report covers the financial year from 6th April 2025 to 31st March 2026, for The Community Cupboard, demonstrating our accomplishments and achievements whilst providing a clear insight into our financial activities.

The Community Cupboard has responded successfully to the rise in its local demand.

With increased food distribution, more donations, higher parcel volumes, and significant growth in the number of people registered and actively supported, March 2026 marked the end of yet another financial year for The Community Cupboard.

This report highlights the key achievements of our financial year 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026 and comparing performance with the previous year.

Headline Achievements: 6th April 2025 → 31st March 2026

Food Distributed	85.253 kg
Donations Received & purchased	86,966 kg
Parcels Distributed	3,253
Total New Family Registrations	316
New Adults Supported	650
New Children Supported	268
New Infants Supported	31
ear-on-Year Growth: 2025 → 2026
Food Distributed	+33%
Food Donations & Purchases	+27%
Parcels Distributed	+46%
New Registrations	+25%
Active Clients	+30%

Year-on-Year Growth: 2025 → 2026

The Community Cupboard continues as the heart of our local community, providing a safe space full of hope. Despite its growth, our ethos remains firm that ‘everyone needs a little help sometimes’

Providing a non-judgemental support service to anyone in need, working hand in hand with local authorities, supporting agents and charities, we continue to make a difference within our community.

Achievement & Performance 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026

In 2026, we proudly approach our seventh anniversary as a registered charity. Since our founding in 2019, The Community Cupboard has provided more than 11,000 parcels to families in need. Over 310,000 Kilos of support has been lovingly distributed from our tiny hubs by our wonderful team of staff and volunteers, in turn providing emergency aid to thousands of individuals in our local community.

With a staggering 7600 individuals provided with emergency food support since 2019, our charity continues to be the central place within our community for those who are facing difficulties.

Individual records are kept for both West Kingsdown & Swanley hubs however, both premises operate under our registered charity number 1185331. The following statistics demonstrate the combined achievements of The Community Cupboard charity as a whole.

Activity for the financial year 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026

2025/2026	Distributed	Donations & Purchases	Parcels	New Reg	Adult	Child	Inf	Total	ACTIVE
West Kingsdown	63511	68857	2361	156	344	130	14	488	451
Swanley	21742	18109	892	160	306	138	17	461	238
TOTAL	85253	86966	3253	316	650	268	31	949	689

During the financial year 2025/2026 an additional 316 families registered for support with The Community Cupboard. These new families consisted of 949 individuals (of which 650 were aged 12+ and 299 were children). Families and individuals continue to be directed to us via supporting agencies or by presenting themselves as a self-referral.

We continue to support families within an approximate radius of 10–15 miles; however, our primary focus remains a 5-mile catchment area around each of our hubs. Registrations were received from families across 42 different villages and towns

Donations and distribution

The Community Cupboard received a total of 86,966 kilos of donated supplies across our two sites from local community members and businesses during this period. Of this total, 53,694 kilos were purchased to ensure shelves remained fully stocked.

During the reporting period, 85,253 kilos were distributed across both sites in support parcels for families in need.

Fundraising events throughout the year including a Quiz night, summer Fayres and a Christmas event, have ensured that regular funds have been available towards the operational costs of the charity and its regular purchases of additional supplies.

The National Lottery continues to fund salaries at West Kingsdown (until July 2027). The 2 part- time positions at our Swanley hub are funded within our Swanley project budget which is provided fully by Sevenoaks District Council.

Members of the public and local businesses continue their generosity with their financial and moral support, many contributing via standing orders monthly, to our charity bank account.

The Trustees have continued with their policy of operating with a financial reserve fund of £50,000 to cover future exceptional circumstances.

Grants 2025 -2026

We would like to thank the following grant donors:

The National Lottery

Sevenoaks District Council

Vigo Parish Council

Farningham Parish Council

West Kent Freemasons

Bassetts Solicitors

AMC

Stewardship

Charities Trust - Yorkshire Bank

Ash Chapel

Neighbourly

Arnold Clark

Co-op Local Cause Funding

Finally

It's been a wonderful year of growth for The Community Cupboard, and we have worked hard to plan for 2026/2027 and beyond.

Thank you to each of our supporters, those who put their faith in us when using our service and those who champion us fully to continue our work. We are extremely grateful to everyone for their continued partnerships, helping us to make such a difference to the families in our local community.

‘Everyone needs a little help sometimes’

Charity Status

The Community Cupboard is a registered charity and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity Trustees. The Charity is governed by its constitution dated 15 August 2019.

The following persons served as Trustees during the year: Veronica McGannon (Elected September 2019) Amy Eley (Elected August 2019) Adrian Wenn (Elected March 2024) James Gower (Elected November 2024)

Staff:

Tracy Wood - Manager Vicky Evans - Senior Support Assistant Sophie Fenlon - Support Assistant Lynda Harrison - Senior Support Assistant

The election of additional Trustees can be made at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees. There must be a minimum of 3 trustees and a maximum of 12 at any one time. Decisions within the charity are made by the Trustees at a meeting or in writing and agreed once

a majority has been reached.

Parties interested in becoming a trustee when applications are open are invited to contact us at www.thecommunitycupboard.co.uk.

Signed: Adrian Wenn - Trustee Signed: Veronica McGannon - Trustee

Financial Review The Community Cupboard 31 Mar. 3J28 TOT ASI% 31 IA•A 2OZ• fvs ( 5APi 2025 (CUSTNI FixedA•Mt Tarybl••4M Fixbrn •rrfJ FrtlThp Cthi Fixbrn ar • EoJlYMnt )..() .34.329.83 5.533.49 4.396.17 ¢17,1J7.49 É17.1J7.49 .3.th) .24263.8) 5.533.49 -2.919.34 $,110.J2 É21.MO.32 T•tsi l•rTknBlblb wi T¢)tsl lor Flx•d A•••1 Cash ai bank and In Chwbty Bank FL THE cmuNI7y CLIPBORD113211 Totsi ltsrC•h li bank Ivth ha 12324a.45 96.429 69 119.123.95 111.579.10 £2JO.70J.05 Totsl lorCUrvl AsMt• IIET ¢iIRRENT A$T8 £2214•7.14 £230,7W.0S Creditors 14lling Ow y•• 93.768 08 4.218.01 5.3S2 25 É•S,JS2.25 ts.J52.15 Totsi lotCuN•rf Totsl Iw¢r•dMm.' Id¥ng rmy• IIET CURRENT ASSETS ILiABILfTES £121.1J•.01 t145.350.10 TOTAL ASSETS LES5 CURFIENT UABILnS £14S.Z71.55 £174.031.12 TOTAL NET ASSETS ILLABIUTIE51 £1471.55 £174.OJ1.12 Chanty F45 R•i*nth1 273.325.Sa -128.049.03 £14$371.5S 273.325.$8 .99294.46 £174,ty31.12 Totsl Igrchwlty Fy

The Community Cupboard Finaniaal Ackn"0"eS Comp8rison 6W"1. 2025-31 March. 2026 APR$2D24.NPR5 rnICUSTOMI 35.520.25 83.828.gJ 3Z,015.44 94.029 31 SwWGrnnt .cw.fy) £180.71&75 70.7.(¢ E198.Q44.75 Total Expendthnl Eknthkrty CK•i• Irrfurr•K 44540 7J7.21 4.[p) 10,670.01 14,465.47 3.W.33 56,657.33 46.953 49 El)3,41&24 840.28 3F.a15.18 9.193.10 .725.76 64.018 67 £210,ia•• DSry WAD Suppl To1•1 IgrExpth*bM•• M•t Op•r4Ww InG¢Jffl• 21.3Th14 £•Z.63tr.$1 thhor Incw INTEREST Tol•l lorothw 4.164. 123 95 É123. 11.Y2. ¢11.542.1J 11.5.01 To¢•1 Igrothv E¥pwvJNw•• N•t Olh•r In¢rffi• 7.3n.33 411.3U. N•t lrt¢om•llExp•nthir•l 428.7XS7 £51.245.85 10

Ind•p¢ndont ¢xamlner'$ report to tho tru$te•$ of Tho Communlty Cupboard Tru$1 I report lo the Injslees on my examinalK)n of the awjunts of the Community Cupboard Trust Charity Number 1185331 Ilhe Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2026. R•ipon$lbllStl•i and bas1$ ol roport As the charity trustees of the TNSI. you are responsible for the preparan of Ihe acunIS in accordance with the requirements of Ihe Charities Act 2011 {'the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of th8 Trust's accounts carried OLrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carrying out my examinatson I have followed all the appIlble Directions given by the Charity Commiswon under sedion 14515llbl of the Acl. Indondnt •xamln•r's tat•m•nt I have completed my examination of the accounts and supporting documents. I confim that no material matters have com8 lo my attentTh in conneclion wlh thè examination giwng me cause lo believe Ihal in any material respeci.. aountIng rerdS wero not kepl in respect of lh8 Trust as requirod by socts'on 130 ol the Act,. or the accounts do not accord th those records. the accounts dKI nol o)mply wilh the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and conlenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and lair. view which is not matter c4)nsblered as part of an iThJeperKl8nl examinats'on. I havo no con¢ems and have como auoss no other maitors in nn0¢bon wilh thg examinatson to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to 8nabb& a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Julie Bas$ BA IHon$l BFP FCA Team Bass Limited 22 The Mead New Ash Green Longfield Kent DA3 8EZ 24 July 2026 11

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Community Cupboard Trust

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Community Cupboard Trust Charity Number 1185331 (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2026.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 of the accounts and supporting documents.

I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.

Julie Bass BA (Hons) BFP FCA

Team Bass Limited 22 The Mead New Ash Green Longfield Kent DA3 8EZ

24 July 2026

THE COMMUNITY CUPBOARD

CHARITY NUMBER: 1185331

ANNUAL OPERATIONAL REPORT

FOR YEAR END 31st March 2026

This Annual Report presents a review of the period 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026, reporting on achievements, performance and impact to demonstrate the Trustees’ stewardship and management of charitable funds.

Annual Operational Report for the Year Ended 31st March 2026

Reference and administrative details

Charity Name: The Community Cupboard Registered Address: The Community Cupboard, Gamecock Meadow, London Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6EL Charity Number: 1185331 Principal office: England. Constitution: Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. Date of constitution (last amended): 15th August 2019 Liability: If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have no Liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities. Trustees: Vee McGannon, Amy Eley, Adrian Wenn, James Gower Staff: Tracy Wood - Manager Lynda Harrison - Senior Support Assistant Sophie Fenlon - Support Assistant Victoria Evans - Senior Support Assistant Bankers: Metro Bank, Unit 4, Nugent Retail Park, Orpington, Bromley, BR5 3RP The Charity Bank Limited, Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BE

The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2026.

Objective & Purpose

The Community Cupboards charitable objects are:

To relieve persons in North West Kent and surrounding areas, that are in financial hardship, in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time think fit. In particular but not exclusively by:

a) providing emergency food supplies, essential toiletries and other household items both to individuals and families in need and to other charities or organisations working to prevent poverty.

b) Such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant advisory services or information.

Working in partnership with local and regional agencies, The Community Cupboard operates from: The Community Cupboard, Gamecock Meadow, London Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6EL and: The Community Cupboard. Elim Church. 36a Cherry Ave, Swanley. BR8 7DX

The Community Cupboard operates with 4 employed staff and a team of approximately 45 regular volunteers.

The Community Cupboard is operational 6 days a week across 2 premises.

- Summary of Activities April 6th, 2025 to March 31st 2026

This report covers the financial year to March 31st 2026, for The Community Cupboard, demonstrating our accomplishments and achievements and provides an insight into the support that we have been able to provide to our local and wider community.

Development and Growth

We experienced yet another remarkable year of development. It has truly been another year of expansion, reflection, and exciting achievements.

As we proudly approach our seventh anniversary as a registered charity, we look back at how far we have come since our small beginnings, and celebrate the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and supporters who have helped shape our journey. Their commitment and compassion remain at the core of everything we do.

Since opening in 2019, The Community Cupboard has provided more than 11,000 parcels to families in need. Over 310,000 Kilos of support has been lovingly distributed from our tiny hubs by our wonderful team of staff and volunteers, in turn providing emergency aid to thousands of individuals in our local community.

The Community Cupboard’s continuous growth led to changes of the interior of our West Kingsdown premises. Whilst our planning application for an extension at West Kingsdown was approved, we have yet to secure the funding required to start the building works. To temporarily accommodate the increased footfall, and the need for private interactions with our drop in services, our tired sofas were replaced with multiple tables and chairs.

We continue to deliver a holistic and coordinated approach through our collaboration with partnership agencies, working together to meet the complex needs of the people we serve.

From our humble beginnings as a small start-up initiative to the established charity we are today, the journey continues to inspire us. By providing a non-judgemental support service for anyone in need, and by working closely with local authorities, partner agencies, and fellow charities, we remain committed to making a meaningful difference and offering hope to those who turn to us for support.

Trustees

The Trustees continue to provide strong leadership and oversight for The Community Cupboard, offering invaluable guidance and support to the manager and staff throughout another successful year.

The charity is governed by four Trustees, Vee McGannon, Amy Eley, Adrian Wenn, and James Gower, each of whom brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and expertise to the organisation. Their continued commitment plays a vital role in supporting the charity’s mission and ensuring its ongoing development and impact within the community.

Staff

The Community Cupboard currently operates with one Manager and three additional employees.

Based primarily at the West Kingsdown hub, Tracy Wood oversees the operations of both the West Kingsdown and Swanley locations. In her role, she manages a team of three paid Support Assistants: Lynda Harrison (full-time), and Sophie Fenlon and Victoria Evans (both part-time).

Working collaboratively, the teams across both hubs ensure that daily operations remain consistent between sites, maintaining the same structure, standards, and ethos that underpin The Community Cupboard’s work. While operational reports are maintained individually for each hub, they are ultimately consolidated under the umbrella of the charity as a whole.

Staff salary funding is managed separately from general or project funding. Staffing at the West Kingsdown hub is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, while staffing for the Swanley hub is supported through project funding provided by Sevenoaks District Council.

Our Story so far

Over the past six years, we have worked together to create and maintain a welcoming, supportive, and caring space, a place where everyone is greeted with a smile and a cup of tea.

The original vision for The Community Cupboard was to provide support for those who could not access government assistance due to employment, while also meeting the growing needs of our local community. Over the past six years, we have worked tirelessly to reduce the stigma surrounding the use of foodbanks, making it clear that it is completely okay to ask for help. There is no shame in reaching out, we are all human, and sometimes a smile is all the reassurance someone needs to take that first step.

Our volunteers' passion, dedication, and willingness to give their time, often for long hours and always going above and beyond, are the reasons why The Community Cupboard continues to thrive.

Together, we have built a space where people can come together and make a real difference. The Community Cupboard provides a vital platform for individuals and the wider community to support one another. Many people want to help but are unsure how or cannot do it alone.

By the end of December 2025, The Community Cupboard had supported 7,611 individuals during their time of need, a testament to the power of community, compassion, and collective action.

The Community Cupboard Swanley

Our second hub which opened in 2024 and located in Swanley, operates with 2 staff members and 5 volunteers.

Both our hub premises' work collectively to ensure continuity for the charity. This allows us to strengthen our partnership collaborations and enhance our already strong teamwork.

The Swanley hub operates Mondays & Thursdays between 10am -3pm and Saturday mornings between 10am - 12 noon. This hub alone has distributed over 20,000 kilos, supporting over 200 families. We are extremely proud of how the project has been operating and the difference that it makes to families and services within the area.

We would like to express our thanks in particular to Sevenoaks District Council for their funding and continued support and to Pastor Ben - Elim Church, for giving us a home.

Gift Aid

Our Trustee Adrian continues to manage the gift aid submissions, and we are delighted that due to his hard work, this year again we received payments from HMRC totalling £5374.76 which will help to support the operation and growth of the charity,

We continue to grow the number of standing orders received each month which are gift aid eligible and to encourage donors who are eligible to complete the required documentation.

Collaborative working with other Food Banks

We continue to strengthen our partnerships with other Food Banks, using a collaborative approach across the Sevenoaks District Council, and armed with our ever-growing knowledge and experiences, we continue to maintain our strong and respected community presence.

We are pleased to work alongside the Trussell Trust Swanley, Elim Church, Borough Green Foodbank, Wilmington Food Bank, and many others to ensure that our communities have access to support.

As an independently established food bank, we are proud that we can provide support to anyone who presents with a need. Help is available regardless of individuals working status, age, sexual orientation, religion, time scale required or their situation, which continues to set us apart from other restricted organisations where they perhaps do not ‘fit the criteria’ required.

Volunteering

Our volunteer team remains at the heart of the charity, forming its core workforce. Behind every individual we support is a group of dedicated people who generously give their time simply to help others.

Over the past year, our team has remained strong, with over 40 selfless volunteers continuing to support The Community Cupboard across a wide range of roles and activities.

Our three dedicated teams, Events, Collections, and Hub Support, work closely together to ensure the continued success of The Community Cupboard in all areas. Each volunteer brings their own unique knowledge, expertise, and life experience, and together we foster a supportive environment that enables us to make the meaningful difference we strive for as a charity.

We have welcomed additional volunteers into various roles, at both hubs, and continue to work in partnership with local schools including Leigh Academy Trust, to create additional volunteering opportunities for individuals with disabilities and health conditions, supporting pathways into the workplace.

Sally Ann Glover

This past year we sadly lost our beloved volunteer Sally, who has been part of the team since 2025. She will be greatly missed and we are honoured that she chose to dedicate her time to our charity and helping those in need. She is fondly remembered.

Work Experience, Duke of Edinburgh & Work Placements

During the past financial year, The Community Cupboard has been delighted to welcome and support many young volunteers, who together contributed over 160 hours of youth volunteering across our hubs.

Through our structured youth programme, we have continued to expand opportunities for young people by supporting both work experience placements and participants in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award . These placements give local students the opportunity to learn about the needs within their community while actively contributing to the work we do. Each student placement is carefully monitored and recorded, with end-of-placement reports completed and shared with the relevant schools or organisations to ensure that all learning objectives are achieved.

The safety, wellbeing, and guidance of our student volunteers remain a top priority while they are attending the hubs or representing The Community Cupboard at community events. Regular risk assessments are carried out to ensure a safe and supportive environment at all times.

We are particularly pleased that many of our student volunteers choose to continue giving their time during school holidays after their formal placements have ended, a reflection of the positive experience they have had and the value they place on supporting their community.

Corporate community engagement days

Work placement schemes and corporate volunteering days continue to play an important role in strengthening our engagement with both local and national businesses. These partnerships support our goals of raising awareness of our work while also generating additional support for the charity. Over the past year, we have been delighted to once again welcome team members from a number of organisations who joined us to take part in community volunteer days, including colleagues from NatWest, Barclays, Power On and Vanquis. These visits provide a valuable opportunity for businesses to better understand the work we do, while allowing their teams to contribute directly to supporting the local community.

Both those who access support from our charity and the members of our volunteer team come from a wide range of backgrounds. We proudly welcome people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and genders and we are proud to provide a community space that encourages inclusion and actively advocates for participation and support for everyone.

Training

Upskilling our staff and volunteer team is a top priority for The Community Cupboard. It is essential that they feel knowledgeable, confident, and well-equipped to respond to the challenges we encounter each day. We believe that knowledge empowers our team to effectively guide and support those in need, and we take pride in delivering a wide range of regular training courses and information sessions. This year, Tracy has become a White Ribbon Ambassador, and all staff are scheduled to undertake Domestic Abuse Champion training in the coming weeks.

The majority of our core training is delivered by Kent Adult Education, with additional specialist sessions provided by organisations including Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council, BTG Training and Porchlight Over the past year, our staff and volunteers have participated in training covering:

Everyday Mental Health
Mental Health First Aid

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
Manual Handling
Adult Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Protection Against Stalking
Safeguarding Vulnerable Children
Child Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Violence Against Women and Girls
Fraud Prevention

Safeguarding

Every family or individual who visits The Community Cupboard has their own story, and it is essential that our team members are equipped with the skills and support needed to respond appropriately. The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers remains a top priority, and we are committed to ensuring they feel confident and supported in their roles. Being able to respond appropriately to any immediate concerns or disclosures is vital to maintaining effective safeguarding practices and ensuring that those seeking help receive the support they need. We are extremely proud to have five trained Mental Health First Aiders within our team. Their presence helps ensure that both visitors and volunteers can receive appropriate support when required.

The hub continues to provide a welcoming and safe space for members of our community. Many conversations and requests for help begin informally, often over a cup of tea, and these moments can lead to important discussions about the challenges individuals or families may be facing.

Many of the situations presented to The Community Cupboard require onward signposting to specialist organisations for further advice and support. Building trust and rapport takes time, but it is through these relationships that individuals often feel comfortable sharing their circumstances. The time invested in developing this trust is essential to ensuring that underlying concerns can be properly addressed.

Our volunteer team operates with a minimum of two team members present at all times. While DBS checks are not formally required for these roles, we recognise that many of those attending may be vulnerable. For this reason, we aim to complete basic checks for all volunteers and enhanced checks for staff. We are fully registered with the safeguarding organisation Thirtyone:eight for DBS processing and guidance. Maintaining a safe, supportive and respectful environment, remains central to the way we deliver our services.

Support services

The Community Cupboard is a vibrant hub of activity, welcoming individuals each with their own unique needs and concerns. Our strong relationships with a wide range of support services allow us to provide appropriate signposting and guidance in every situation, ensuring that those who access our services can receive the help they require. Taking a holistic approach, we collaborate with multiple agencies to enhance quality of life and offer tailored support to the individuals and families who rely on us.

Our monthly face-to-face drop-in sessions at the hub remain well attended, providing direct, hands-on assistance to our community. These sessions feature specialist support from a range of services, including:

Domestic abuse support – DAVSS
Energy and benefits advice – Citizens Advice
Family support – Purple Parenting
Homelessness support – Sevenoaks District Council
Addiction support – Change Grow Live
Housing support – Sevenoaks HERO Team
Community welfare support – Kent County Council
Counselling – NHS Talking Therapies
Dementia & Alzheimer’s support – ADSS

We continue to work with over 30 national and local charities, organisations, councils, and individual specialists to achieve the best outcomes possible for those who turn to us, addressing a wide range of concerns and supporting our community every step of the way.

Outreach

We regularly attend the monthly Sevenoaks District Council Housing Hub as part of a collective of local services dedicated to supporting the community and its residents. These drop-in sessions have been

instrumental in reaching individuals experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping in cars, garages, tents, or doorways. At these sessions, food and advice are made readily available, and each visitor is provided with information about our hub and guidance on accessing ongoing support during follow-up visits.

To ensure services are coordinated effectively, we now participate in regular service meetings, working closely with partner organisations to align efforts within the community. We also attend a variety of forums to stay informed about local support services, helping us to continually meet the evolving needs of those who use The Community Cupboard.

Additional Partnerships

Community engagement is essential for maintaining a strong presence and connection within the local area. Over the past year, we have continued to collaborate with a wide range of organisations, both as part of our own community initiatives and as contributors to the individual engagement schemes of partner organisations. These partnerships are key to sustaining ongoing support, funding, and donations of essential items, all of which enable The Community Cupboard to continue providing vital services to those in need.

We are proud to work alongside many valued partners, including The Hygiene Bank, John Lewis Bluewater, The London Golf Club, Vigo Villagers, Hovis Bakery, Kent Police, Waitrose, Co-op, Brands Hatch Race Circuit, Ash Carpets, Fawkham Bee Company, The Dartford Sports Bar, West Kent Freemasons, and Sainsbury's, to name a few.

These collaborations continue to be an integral part of our work, helping us reach more people and strengthen the support we offer across the community.

Fundraising

Over the past financial year, we have successfully attended and presented at a wide range of local events, proving them to be an effective way to engage with our community and raise awareness of the support we offer.

Village fairs and community days, in particular, have provided valuable opportunities to expand both our support network and our visibility. By connecting with local agencies, businesses, and residents, we have developed and strengthened relationships that continue to support our growth and reinforce our reputation within the community.

This year marked several highlights, including hosting our very first Easter event, participating in New Ash Green Village Day, St Edmunds Village Fete, V E Day Celebrations, Remembrance Day celebrations, Flower festivals, Farningham yoga charity events, fundraising sound baths, and community football competitions, among others.

Many businesses, organisations and individuals have also fundraised on our behalf, holding their own events including Kent Demolition, and individuals such as the lovely family who decorated their home for Halloween and Joe who started his running mission, raising awareness of food banks.

Through these efforts, we have reached thousands of people and raised significant funds, contributing to another successful year of engagement. These events have not only increased awareness but have also led to new partnerships, financial donations, and further item collections in support of our work.

Other Fundraising Activities

Once again, we feel incredibly fortunate that so many individuals and local clubs have taken the time to organise and host their own fundraisers in support of The Community Cupboard. It is always a welcome surprise to receive both item and cash donations from these generous organisations.

This past year we have received generous and thoughtful donations from multiple legacies, with various families choosing to donate funeral collections to The Community Cupboard. We are humbled to have been chosen to receive these funds, particularly during such difficult times for those left behind With marathon fundraising events on the horizon and regular fundraising sound baths taking place, we have been truly overwhelmed, not only by our community members’ enthusiasm to get involved, but also by their ongoing kindness and support.

Publicity

We pride ourselves on our ethos of transparency, much of which is demonstrated through our highly visible social media presence. Our platforms provide a daily insight into the work we carry out, allowing community residents and supporters to feel part of the supportive network we have built together. By showing how our funding is used and publicly thanking our community and donors for their contributions, we have encouraged additional support and new partnerships. By remaining accessible

through multiple communication channels, we ensure that anyone in the community can easily find out how to access support if they need it. We also continue to update and improve our website to provide the simplest and most accessible way for individuals to request assistance.

Our community outreach has contributed to another successful year of promoting our charity. We have been delighted to attend a range of community events and talks at clubs, groups and local schools, and were once again featured on multiple radio interviews and in local media.

We continue to work in collaboration with all sectors of both our local council and county council to provide immediate support to those in need. Thank you to everyone who continues to champion, and support our work.

Churches & Harvest - 2025

Harvest 2025 was a tremendous success and a real highlight of the year. With donations received from 19 schools and churches, it was yet another fantastic Harvest for our charity. It is always a pleasure to welcome so many children to the hub with their contributions and, in true Community Cupboard spirit, we ensured everyone had the opportunity to take part. Each group was given a short talk and introduced to the processes we follow, helping them better understand how the hub operates. These sessions, alongside our regular out-of-hours visits for local groups, continue to play an important role in breaking down the stigma often associated with food banks and asking for support.

In addition, our team visited a number of local schools throughout the season, sharing the story of our charity and collecting the generous donations gathered by their families & staff. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us through these collections.

School & Group Visits

We continue to provide educational sessions to groups of school children, providing information and understanding of our service and how they can individually make a difference within their community.

Scouting & Girl Guiding

Our out-of-hours evening educational sessions continue to grow, and over the past year we have welcomed even more local young people attending with their leaders from local Scout and Girlguiding groups.

These sessions provide an opportunity for young people to work towards their badge requirements while learning more about the work of The Community Cupboard and the role food banks play in supporting local communities. It is incredibly rewarding to engage with these groups and to share an insight into how our organisation operates.

The sessions also allow us to connect with a wider network of families, raising awareness of the support available should it ever be needed. By offering these bespoke sessions, we continue to challenge the stigma that can surround the use of a food bank, while also encouraging young people to become active participants in their local volunteering community.

Summer Swap shop - School Uniform

This year marked another successful delivery of our community School Uniform Swap Shop. Designed to support local families, the project provides access to recycled school uniform items while encouraging the community to reduce clothing waste and save money.

Ensuring that children attend school in correctly fitting uniforms is an important step in reducing stigma for families who may be experiencing financial pressures. Open to the entire community, the swap shop once again brought together local residents as well as families from neighbouring towns and villages, creating an opportunity for people to support one another. Operating throughout the summer holidays, the team organised, promoted and ran the swap shop outside the hub during August, with valuable support from our student volunteers.

Through this initiative, The Community Cupboard provided more than 70 families with the uniforms their children required to return to school in new or nearly new, properly fitting clothing. This successful annual project demonstrates the power of communities working together, helping to reduce waste while also supporting families and reducing stigma. The scheme will continue to operate each year.

Regular Donations

Our dedicated volunteers continue to collect donations daily from various locations across the district, transporting them back to the hub where they are carefully recorded, date-checked and prepared for redistribution.These donations remain vital to the work of The Community Cupboard, with many items rarely staying on the shelves for more than a day or two before reaching those who need them.

Alongside these collections, many organisations and individuals continue to donate directly to the hub, and we have been pleased to welcome new donors over the past year including multiple large donations from Foresters Financial members.We are also grateful to maintain our donation point partnerships with three local Co-op stores and three local Sainsbury's stores, and more recently with Aldi in Sevenoaks. In addition, donation points can be found throughout the community, including in churches, clubs and even a residential village porch in Vigo.

We are particularly thankful to our longstanding partners at Hovis bakery in Erith, who have generously donated trays of freshly baked bread every week since 2020, Fawkham Bee company for their delicious Honey and to both Otford and New Ash Green allotments for their generous regular fresh produce.

The continued generosity of our donors and partners plays a crucial role in enabling us to support those who rely on our services.

Purchases

With multiple deliveries made to our hubs each week of purchased items, the monetary donations we receive have never been more needed. Each month we receive regular funds from public donations, which is always used to purchase additional food.53.694 kilos of our incoming donations were purchased from supermarkets and organisations (amounting to 63%), to ensure sufficient supplies filled the shelves. With 5 regular grocery deliveries a week to our hubs, we average a total spend of £8,000 per month, just to meet growing demand.

Christmas 2025

Each of the families that we were supporting during this period were provided with an extra Christmas surprise, being presented with a Christmas pudding, Chocolates, Sweets, Mince Pies, Crackers and selection boxes, courtesy of very kind donors from within our community.

Our volunteer Emma once again took on the creative challenge of designing and producing our entries for two local Christmas Tree Festivals. These were displayed at St Edmund King & Martyr Church and St Peter & St Paul's Church. The trees looked fantastic and attracted plenty of attention from visitors throughout the festive season. As well as adding to the celebrations, they also helped raise awareness of The Community Cupboard and the work we do within the community. We are incredibly grateful to Emma for her time, creativity and continued support in helping to promote our charity during the festive period.

Christmas Fayre 2025

For the third year running, we were delighted to host our own festive Christmas Fayre in support of The Community Cupboard.

This year’s event was held at St Edmund's School, with children's activities and stalls hosted by both The Community Cupboard and local businesses. It was wonderful to welcome hundreds of visitors from across the wider community to join us. A special thank you goes to Richard, who once again kindly took on the role of Santa, helping to make the day a magical and memorable experience for the many families who attended. Santa was able to distribute gifts, generously donated by Brands Hatch Race Circuit, to children who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to receive a festive visit. The event was a

delightful festive occasion that brought the community together, while also helping us collect valuable donations and raise awareness of our charity and the work we do.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our valued supporter Mark, from J & C Events, who once again provided the grotto and decorations free of charge to help make the event possible. Our gratitude also goes to Vanquis Bank, particularly Megan, who supported the event through fund-matching, helping with the organisation and volunteering on the day.

Finally, we are very grateful to St Edmund’s School for the warm welcome and generous use of their hall. Their support helped make this event another great success for our community.

Awards 2025/2026

In 2025 we were delighted to be recognised at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards , winning the ‘Charity Wellbeing Award’ , recognising our contribution to making a difference within our community. Thank you to everyone who helps us to ensure that we remain, so much ‘more than a foodbank’.

Challenges

It is clear we have outgrown our West Kingsdown hub, however until funding can be secured to extend the premises, we continue to make small adaptations. Additional private areas are now required to address the growing number of drop in support services that we are providing. We have made small interior organisational changes in an attempt to make operations easier, without reducing our impact.

Swanley hub continues to flourish and again we are already beginning to outgrow our premises. We are currently working with Elim Church to establish a larger and more permanent solution on site.

The rise in the cost of living continues to be the most recorded reason for referrals to our service, with many families simply unable to make ends meet, particularly when faced with additional and unexpected bills.

Increases in energy bills and basic food essentials continue to affect our community, and to support these families, we host regular drop in sessions where families can meet with energy support services. Regular referrals continue to be received in this category from a multitude of service providers, as well as self-presenting individuals.

As the highest presenting area for those who are homeless/ rough sleeping in the Sevenoaks District, we have now implemented a fortnightly drop in at West Kingsdown to provide support. This is operated by Sevenoaks Council.

With the majority of those who are homeless, sleeping in places such as tents or cars, these remain predominantly single males. We continue to offer those sleeping rough, warm showers (thanks to an arrangement with West Kingsdown Parish Council and the Village Hall) and continue to stock extra sleeping bags and equipment suitable to cater for these individuals.

Those living with Cancer or longer-term illnesses and who are unable to currently work are still prevalent. Many of these individuals are self-employed, have young families and have little recourse to government funding. We continue to work closely with NHS services and carer support agencies to provide additional support.

The complex needs of those presenting to our service requires constant and additional training of our team, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and staff.

We continue to operate a 3-year forecast and projection to address the need and levels of support to those who need it most.

Our core charity structure remains robust and has been vital to keeping up with the demand and the growth. The Trustees, staff and volunteers work extremely well together, meeting regularly to bring new ideas, suggestions and alternative ways, to always ensure smooth operations.

Achievement & Performance 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026

Since first opening in 2019, The Community Cupboard has supported over 7600 individuals with emergency food and grocery support.

West Kingsdown and Swanley hubs keep separate records for their daily operations. The statistics written in this report demonstrate the combined achievements of The Community Cupboard charity as a whole, however, individual breakdown diagrams are also included.

The financial year 6th April 2025 - 31st March 2026

2025/2026	Distributed	Donations & purchases	Parcels	New Reg	Adult	Child	Inf	Total	Active
West Kingsdown	63511	68857	2361	156	344	130	14	488	451
Swanley	21742	18109	892	160	306	138	17	461	238
TOTAL	85253	86966	3253	316	650	268	31	949	689

Families and individuals continue to be directed to us via supporting agencies or by presenting themselves as a self-referral.

Throughout the year we continued to support families within approximately 10-15 miles, however our core area of support remains 5 miles in each direction of each of our hubs, with registrations being made from families covering multiple villages & towns.

Donations, purchases and distribution

The Community Cupboard received donated supplies across our 2 sites, from local community and business members during this period totalling 33,272 kilos .

53,694 kilos of supplies were also purchased using donated funds to ensure that the shelves remained fully stocked.

During this reporting period, 85,253 kilos were distributed across the 2 sites, in support parcels to families in need.

Signposting Services

Behind every request for help is a unique and often complex story. Providing food alone is not enough, individuals and families also need support, guidance, and practical advice to help them navigate and improve their circumstances.

Many people feel overwhelmed and unable to see a way forward, with some experiencing severe emotional distress. In these moments, having someone who listens and offers hope can make a vital difference. That’s why building and maintaining strong partnerships with local and national support services is so important. By working together, we can offer a more holistic response to each situation, addressing a wide range of challenges in a coordinated and compassionate way.

We are continually expanding our network and are pleased to welcome new support services on a regular basis. Both our West Kingsdown & Swanley hubs now host drop-in sessions, providing opportunities for face-to-face support within the local community. Thanks to these strong and growing partnerships, we are able to signpost individuals and families to over 30 organisations, helping them access the support they need across a wide range of issues, including:

Addiction (Change Grow Live) Homeless relocations (Porchlight, SDC Hero team, Kent Police) Re-entry into society (Probation services) Wellbeing services (Involve, KCC Social prescribers) Counselling Services (NHS Talking Therapies) Digital Inclusion (KCC digital inclusion team) Refugees (Sevenoaks District Council Refugee team) Disability (We are Beams, Imago, The Education People) Senior residents’ advice (Age UK & Imago, ADSS) Mental health & Counselling services (KCC Mental health support, SWK Mental health team, Samaritans & NHS Talking therapies, Clutter Be Gone) Period poverty (The Hygiene Bank) Domestic Violence (DAVSS, Look Ahead, White Ribbon Accreditation) Housing, Benefits & Debt management advice (Citizens Advice Bureau & Sevenoaks District Council Hero Team, West Kent Housing, Live well Kent) Self-Employment support (Jobcentre, Small Good Stuff) Utility support (SE Water, Refernet, Citizens Advice, The Green Doctors) Local community warden support (KCC Public Protection) Dementia services (ADSS) Family intervention (KCC Adolescent services, KCC Social Services & Safeguarding Midwife team) Palliative care and family support (Ellenor hospice) Family support & counselling services (KCC Social Work Dept, Purple Parenting)

Achievements vs Objectives

The Community Cupboard serves as a welcoming and supportive hub—a safe space open to everyone in the community. Our dedicated and resilient team of volunteers generously give their time to support others, and we are incredibly proud of the warm, inclusive environment we create for all who visit.

We have continued to make strong progress in reducing the stigma around seeking help by fostering a friendly, compassionate atmosphere. We are committed to treating every individual with both equality and personal understanding, recognising each person’s unique circumstances, feelings, and needs.

Despite regularly encountering challenging and often distressing situations, we remain steadfast in reassuring visitors that support is always available. The kindness and empathy shown by our team are central to what we do, and this approach has consistently proven to be the most effective in helping people through difficult times.

We continue to offer guidance and signposting to ensure individuals can access the support they need at the most critical times. We are confident that, as a charity, we have delivered the highest standard of support possible in every case presented throughout the year.
Team morale remains exceptionally strong, supported by effective leadership and a well-established organisational structure. The charity has a clear vision, and the dual-site operational model is proving to be highly successful.
Our staff and volunteer training programme remains fully active, with courses facilitated for our team including training in : Everyday Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Manual Handling, Adult Suicide Prevention and Awareness, Protection Against Stalking, Safeguarding Vulnerable Children, Child Suicide Prevention and Awareness, Violence Against Women and Girls.

With upcoming Domestic abuse champion training and a planned support group on the horizon, we have fully embraced and adapted to the current needs of our community. We are proud to have 5 fully trained Mental Health First Aiders across our sites

To strengthen our community engagement, we have made every effort to attend nearly all events across the district and are delighted to have such strong, ongoing support from our community.
We have taken part in radio broadcasts and continue to maintain excellent relationships with these channels, alongside managing a range of highly successful digital platforms, including our website, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

As always, our focus remains on making a meaningful difference, with clear forward planning in place for the next three years.

Plans for Future

The Community Cupboard continues to evolve and adapt to its local community, with regular changes and updates being made to our operations. Ensuring that appropriate support available for our local residents is up to date and relevant, is key to providing the correct support.

The struggle surrounding meeting living costs continues to impact our community and we continue to participate in regular meetings with councils and agencies to monitor local impact, and allow us to adapt our policies and procedures as and when required.

Those in employed positions and those who are retired, form a large percentage of our users, with the majority of this category not meeting the ‘eligibility criteria’ of most other food banks or support services.

Our aims and objectives for the short and medium term include:

Continue to remain approachable and welcoming.
To continue to strengthen the core of our charity and its organisational structure.
To continue fundraising to extend the West Kingsdown premises, allowing for a dedicated private consultation room, additional storage, a disabled toilet and a larger office space
To continue to grow and expand our Swanley premises, with the inclusion of a larger, long term premises.
To increase our income to meet the growing costs of required additional purchases.
To continue to educate our community and its younger generation.
To maintain and grow the awareness of The Community Cupboard and continue reducing the stigma surrounding asking for help or attending a foodbank.
Continue to support our volunteer team and their wellbeing, offering enhanced courses and team building exercises to keep morale high.
Evaluate the data we receive fully to accurately plan for upcoming months.
Continue to network and build our relationships with referral agencies to ensure full ongoing signposting support and services.

Finally

It has been another year of growth, and a privilege to witness the journeys of so many individuals and families as they rebuild their strength after challenging times. We extend our sincere thanks to all our supporters—those who trust us to provide help, and those who advocate for us and enable our work to continue.

We are extremely grateful to all for their continued support and partnerships, helping us to make such a difference to the families in our local community.

‘Everyone needs a little help sometimes’

Structure, Governance and Management

The following persons served as Trustees during the year:

Veronica McGannon (Elected September 2019) Amy Eley (Elected August 2019) Adrian Wenn (Elected March 2024) James Gower (Elected November 2024)

Staff:

Tracy Wood - Manager Vicky Evans - Senior Support Assistant Lynda Harrison - Senior Support Assistant Sophie Fenlon - Support Assistant

Parties interested in becoming a trustee when applications are open are invited to contact us at www.thecommunitycupboard.co.uk.

Signed: Adrian Wenn - Trustee

Signed: Veronica McGannon - Chair