2021-05-31-accounts

Boxes of Basics Reg. Charity No. 1186215 Boxes of Basic AnnualAccounts Accounts period ending 37 March 2021 FROM VULNERABILITY TO STABILITY

Contents

Contents

Message from the Chair

Trustees Report

Independent Examiner’s Report

Statement of Financial Accounts

Notes to Financial Statements

I am delighted to present our 2021 accounts which demonstrate our ambitious endeavours to help families and children in poverty. Our beneficiary criteria are unrestricted identified only by need. And in our view, anyone who takes the courage to ask for help needs it. As soon as an individual connects with us, they are sure to be supported through their crisis.

Recently, an exponential increase in demand has come from families wherein both parents are hardworking individuals working tirelessly to support their families. However, with the skyrocketing inflation rate squeezing household incomes, many previously self-sustaining individuals are now floundering in financial stress.

But with the combined efforts of our donors, volunteers, and committee we have provided 7941 food boxes to 1652 individuals this year. I am tremendously proud of our achievements and look forward to another year of giving.

I thank our kind and generous donors – you are the silent yet potent force behind our existence. With your humble and heroic giving our beneficiaries have gained the stability they craved. And all their resultant achievements are yours.

I thank our wonderful volunteers who have so dedicatedly and selflessly given of their time and energy.

I thank my colleague Board Members who are equally passionate to transform vulnerability into stability.

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Trustees
Report
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Boxes of Basics was established in 2019 to alleviate hunger and deprivation resulting from poverty by providing boxes of basic food and household essentials to people in financial hardship. Our core user groups are young families and adolescents. Our focus is on relieving poverty directly, as a preventative measure to the emotional and social insecurities that develop subsequently. The food packages we deliver not only alleviates hunger of families contending with food insecurity but provide a sense of security and stability for the most vulnerable of society.

According to the UN Special Rapporteur, poverty affects 14 million people in the UK—a fifth of the population. Four million of these are more than 50% below the poverty line, and 1.5 million are destitute, unable to afford essentials. Poverty is not only dignity depriving; It can crush individual confidence, hope, and ambition. It stifles people’s ability to participate in our society. It means waking up every day facing insecurity, uncertainty, and impossible decisions about money. To make matters worse, one in seven councils have discontinued their emergency funds. The poor are left to compromise ever more. Unfortunately, poverty is the devastating reality of one in four children in the UK.

Our main activities are preparing and distributing food packages to people in a financial crisis. Whilst retaining a general scope, we modify the food according to the age, family size, cultural and dietary requirements of our users.

Our Mission

Our mission is to end hunger in London. We aim to provide a discreet, efficient, and compassionate service to anyone in crisis. When their immediate needs are taken care of, they have the peace of mind to look for new jobs, opportunities and make positive decisions for a better tomorrow.

Our Vision

No one can thrive on an empty stomach. But harder than nourishing the body is fuelling the self-esteem. At Boxes of Basics support never compromise dignity, which is fundamental for functional independence and emotional and social wellbeing.

Our Values

• No one should go to sleep hungry.

• Anyone who reaches out for help needs it; we do not turn anyone down.

• Boxes of Basics aims to provide support that beneficiaries can depend on in crisis but encourages self-sufficiency in the long term.

Feedback from our Clients:

“This was the hardest months in my life, mum was intubated in hospital, dad wallowing in anxiety and self-pity and a 9-month baby to look after with no money for milk. At the same time I had to connect to zoom classes, take tests and hear bad news during my every break. But the worst, the absolute worst was the hunger. I opened the fridge, the freezer, the larder and cupboards and there was so little food. My teacher told me about boxes of basics, but we received so much more that basic food boxes. While there were no extras, boxes contained easy to follow recipe ideas, instructions and connected me to a virtual cooking community. I now know how to create a feast from nothing.”

S.K, 23

“I never dreamed I would have to approach a foodbank in my life. But when Covid landed, I lost all my work. I was an airport driver and usually had jobs six days a week. But with the coming of the pandemic nobody needed my services, and my cash reserves were waning. You helped me in my hardship, and I will remember your kindness always. I am happy to volunteer to do deliveries whenever you need… “

Elizabeth, 48

Reserve Policy

The Trustees aim to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Charity at a level of at least three months running costs and up to one year’s running costs. The Trustees are pleased to have achieved a level of reserves for the Charity this past year, in accordance with their aim.

Risk Assessments

The trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed, particularly those related to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied with the prudent procedures in place to mitigate the organization’s exposure to those risks. Trustees actively review possible day to day challenges and are prepared to take the required measures to resolve any issue that arises.

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity’s financial position and of the profit or loss of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in its activities

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2016. There is no audit requirement for the charity. An independent examiner’s report will be prepared by De Claron Ltd.

AUDITOR ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD SIGNED:

Usher Mann

Trustee 15/03/2022 Boxes of Basics For the Period Ending 31 May 2021

Boxesof Basics Charitable Trust- y/e 31.05.2021 Draftstotementof Fil￿nCialACtly1tieS yle 31.05.2021 6tnonlh5to31.05.2020 Restrlcted Fund F￿d Total Fund5 TotalFuThl$ INCOMEANOENDOWMENTS FROM GOVERMENTCOVIDHELP DONATIoNSat￿ LEGACIES CHARITABLEACTWITIES GRANT5 INTERESTRECEIVED 50.(XX). .498.26 50.QXX>. 6&498.26 37.893.0) 37.893.C &047.27 4Q910. 6D47.27 40.910.(K> 71966.(KJ 11.50 72.966.lYJ 11.50 113.498.26 72977.50 186475.67 37.893. 48,957.27 8&85027 EXPENDITUREON RELIEVEOF POVERTY WNATIONS COVID HELPPROGRAMM5 GRANT5GIVEN FOUNDRASINGCAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATIVECOSTS OFFICEEXPENSES ALLL)UN 1p￿ly 84,577.15 3Q(XJO. 62,504.OD 114.577.15 62.504.(KJ 43.418.35 4S418.35 2a80.CQ 3,180.77 2.580.( 2380.00 4.￿8.55 288.20 45J.OD iO,(KK).IKJ L240.83 iorKK>.(KJ 1,240.83 4,438.55 288.3J 45J.iKI ' IU.525.11 10.525.11 48.598.10 5,5eo77 5Q978.10 95,606.86 103.744.83 199,351.69 NEfRECEIVED 110.705.101 43,39&50 35.872.17 17.891.29 IY1767.331 TOTALFUND58ROUGHTFORWARD 110.705.101 4&396.50 32,691.40 TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD 110,705.101 43,39&50 35.872.17 7,18&19 11629.17 19.815.36 DroftBolance5heet 6rnontKsto31.05.2020 yle31.05.2021 TANGIBLEASStrs CURRENT ASSEts DEBTORS CASH IN HAND&AT BANK 32h91.40 BANK 33,847.12 11,155.721 186475.67 32h91.40 186475h7 CURRE￿[ LIABILITIES LOANCREDITORS 50.(X)O.( NEfFUNDS 32,691.4D 19,815.36 FUNDACCOUNT UNRESTRICTEDFUNDS REsTR￿TEDFUNDS 7,186.19 12629.17 43,396.50 32,691.40 19,815.36

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BOXES AND BASICS LTD Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Boxes and Baslcs Ltd I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. which are set out on pages 9 to ii. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner I he charity s trustees are responsible tor the preparation ot the accounts. I he charity s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibl￿'ty to . examine the accounts (under the 2011 Acti". . to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder the 2011 Act)". and . to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner'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 examlner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention,. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements . to k&p accounting records in accordance the 2006 ACL. and . to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2006 Act have not been met.. or 121 to Whicn. In my opinion. attention ShOUIU be arawn In oraer to enable a proper understanding of the account5 lo be reached. De Claron Ltd. 3a The Vale LONDON Nwii 8SB: 15/03/2022

Boxes Of ndnessl 'Boxes of Basics, is a charity. passionate to help families and children living with food poverty. As our name declares, we provide boxes of basic food and household essentials. We are a first point of contact for individuals or families in crisis. Boxes of Basics Reg. Charity No. 1186215