Birchgrove Community Foodbank Annual Report Financial Statement 2020- 2021
Birchgrove Community Foodbank is a registered charity, reg. no.1188963
Charity’s Principal Address:
Birchgrove Community Centre Lon Gwesyn Birchgrove SA7 9
Charitable Aims & Objectives
The relief of financial hardship amongst people in Birchgrove and the surrounding area in such ways as the trustees from time to time think fit, in particular but not exclusively by;
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Providing emergency food, essential toiletries and household items to individuals and families in need and/or for distributions by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
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Such other means, including (though not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services.
We, the trustees consider that these activities have been and continue to be conducted with regard to the guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Trustees:
Chair Jordan Rees Secretary Juliet Rees Trustee Audrey Jones Trustee Leanne Dymond Trustee Tania Arthur
Chair’s Report
With the COVID pandemic and ensuing restrictions raising safety issues, we rose to the challenges and succeeded in reaching over 1,260 people including families living within the City & County Swansea, providing much needed food parcels, support and advice.
Of those that received our help we were able to signpost 100 (approx.) people to other organisations that were able to complete benefit checks and assist with other issues/concerns raised by our clients.
Chair Jordan Rees
None of this would have been possible without the support provided by the City & County of Swansea local councillors including:
Cllr Mo Sykes, Cllr Alyson Pugh, Cllr Ryland Doyle and Cllr Penny Matthews.
Councillor Mo Sykes Donor Samantha Sullivan & Foodbank Secretary Juliet Rees
Special thanks to the local schools, businesses, charities and supermarkets for their support in setting up the foodbank and continued support throughout what proved to be a very unpredictable and difficult year, these included:
Admiral Insurance, Glantawe Lions, Unite, Gerald Davies LTD, Birchgrove Colts, Tesco Llansamlet, Tesco Marina, CK Supermarket Birchgrove, Arbourne’s Winchwen, Co-op Clydach, Morrisons, Farm Foods, Asda, Wilkinsons (Morriston) JCP Solicitors, Sensitive Water Solutions, Elsbe, Sullivans Estate Agents, ATR Construction, Samlet Church, Eastside Foodbank, Andy John Plumbing and Plantasia.
Not forgetting the Bridge End Inn for the scrumptious free Sunday dinners provided to families during the pandemic.
A very special thank you to Ava (age 6yrs) who raised a staggering £409.41 by making and selling rainbows, which helped to purchase all this food.
We did not allow the restrictions to stop children from enjoying Easter and must give a special note of thanks to City & County of Swansea as well and our local community which enabled us to deliver just over 300 easter eggs, and we did not stop there!
Special thanks to Tesco Llansamlet and Tesco Swansea Marina for helping to provide Halloween costumes and accessories, as well as gift cards that were used to purchase Christmas gifts and stockings.
As Christmas approached, we sent out a request for help via social media and were truly overwhelmed by the response. Not only did we receive donations of gift cards, gift sets and selection boxes, but we also received offers of help to deliver these items.
Some of those that ensured the children’s Christmas was extra special are Sheree, Jade and Zoe from our local community that provided gifts and stockings for all the children and together with a fleet of volunteer drivers, we were able to deliver just over 300 food parcels that included a complete Christmas dinner (turkey crown with all the trimmings as well as stockings, crackers and gift cards for the children).
Whilst it has been an exceedingly difficult year, it was extremely humbling and encouraging to see the community come together to support one another during what has been an extraordinary time with so many uncertainties.
It goes without saying that we would not be able to reach the numbers of people referred to us without the support of our volunteers, who give their time and energy to support the foodbank by donating, collecting and delivering donations to those unable to come to the centre.
Secretary Juliet Rees
Financial Statement
During our first year, with the assistance of local Councillors from the City & County of Swansea we were able to apply for and receive funding to cover start-up costs for the foodbank.
We as Trustees have agreed that a proportion of the monies currently available will be placed into a separate savings account as reserves to ensure the steady supply of food stock is available should the amount of donations lessen.
Income
| Cash at 01.04.2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bank b/f | £1,910 | |
| Pety cash | £0 | |
| Donatons | £18,496 | |
| Total | £20,406 | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Start up Costs | £855 | |
| Stock replenishment | £4,554 | |
| Christmas Stock | £538 | |
| Freezer/Fridges | £947 | |
| Storage (Shelving) | £410 | |
| Ofce Equipment | £331 | |
| Volunteer Expenses | £28 | |
| Insurance | £209 | |
| Health & Safety (inc. PPE) | £75 | |
| Ofce Supplies (inc Phone) | £373 | |
| Total | £8,320 | |
| Net Infow (Outlow) balance | £12,086 | |
| Less Cash in hand | £0 | |
| Subtotal | £12,086 | |
| Balance C/f | £12,086 | |
| Notes to the accounts: |
The Trustees have agreed to operate a savings account as a reserve for the bank account.
This will ensure the foodbank will have sufficient funds to continue to operate in the event of a reduction in donations whilst trustees seek a solution to the funding issue.
I confirm the above accounts provide an accurate record of Birchgrove Community Centre Foodbank's financial transactions for the year 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021
Signed
Name Juliet Rees
Position Secretary
Date: 23.01.2022