KINGSBRIDGE AREA FOODBANK
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 4[TH] OCTOBER 2021
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
For the whole past year we have continued to operate from the Avon Centre, Wallingford Road. Our very dedicated team of front-line officers and volunteers, efficiently and energetically led by Gerrie, Paula and Jackie, have worked wonders, regularly and reliably preparing and sending out packages of food and other items to a host of clients around the district. The team at the Avon Centre work with amazing – dedication, thoroughness and attention to detail sorting, storing, dividing items into – small packs, labelling all necessary before assembling the final packages. And we should note the recent enhanced use of leftovers for cooked and packaged meals.
Client numbers have increased and remained high. Last week, 151 foodparcels were delivered, providing for more than 400 individuals. While some have ceased to need our help, others have come on to the list as their circumstances have worsened. With the recent reduction in benefits in Universal Credit and the end of covid furlough, we anticipate increasing demand in the near future.
All this has required a significant number of volunteer drivers to deliver the items to clients’ homes, as this continues to be the only way we now get goods to clients – while there is still the danger of infection with covid, clients do not yet come to us to collect their packages. We recognize the drivers’ dedication, and are immensely grateful for their very significant efforts.
We are very grateful for the continued practical support of shoppers at Tesco and Morrisons, of churches and other groups, and of local shops and businesses. In the year, arrangements were made for major deliveries of items from Morrisons and local bulk suppliers, delivery being possible at The Avon Centre. The foodbank has had to purchase these items, at large overall cost, hence the need for significant financial donations and grants.
In addition to the regular weekly package supply, the usual special effort was made at Christmas to provide extra, seasonal items. Over 200 normal packages were delivered along with special Christmas present hampers. Also, clients and others were made aware of available help in the school holidays when free school lunches were not supplied.
There is still no definite news as to when we will have to vacate the Avon Centre as – plans are finalised and approved for rebuilding and developments there. Our hope and - need is for a new, purpose built centre which can be used as some sort of community base. Various local and district councillors have visited, seen the scale of our operations, and have taken this need back to council meetings. We await further responses from them.
We have continued to be involved in offering non-food items and events. There are donated white goods and items of furniture at the centre, ready for clients with relevant - needs. We have become involved in obtaining and offering school uniforms new, as well as second hand clothing. In the summer we cooperated with and helped implement DCC’s HAF programme (Holiday Activities and Food). Typically, clients have a mix of interrelating needs, as can be seen from sample client profiles.
Various social issues and critical needs of clients have come to the fore, into which we – (principally Gerrie) have been drawn in trying to meet issues which other groups and agencies have not been dealing with adequately (perhaps because of lockdown problems). Please see these examples. We are seeking through the local Caring Alliance to discuss this situation with other voluntary groups. There was an attempt by the CAB to offer remote contact at the Avon Centre when our volunteers were present, but little came of that. We also had some funding for counselling support for clients in need of such.
A new venture has been the purchase of much needed vehicle (car) for regular and frequent use on foodbank business, including small scale transport of relevant goods.
– Our website has been improved and updated please see what it looks like.
- Overall, it has been a demanding year, not without its worries not least concerning – premises and the necessary means to keep going and all those who have worked so hard and borne most of the burden deserve immense thanks and congratulations. It won’t get any easier in the coming year. We must keep at it, support one another to the hilt, and seek to care effectively for our neighbours in need.
Roger Tyler Chair of the Trustees Kingsbridge Area Foodbank 4[th] October 2021
Income and Expenditure King¥bridge Area Foodbank Charity No 1189068 15 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Income Donations from PLSblic Grants Total In¢t)me £179,310.21 £64,050.tM) £243.360.21 Less Cost of Sales Christmas Hampers & Gifts Client Support - Accommcxlalion C14ent Support- Elec 8 Gas Topups Client Support- FIKXY and Goods Client Support- Other Client Support- Transport Client Support- Unifomi Total Cost of Sales £3,535.05 £445.00 £8,309.6S £179,341.65 £9,289.84 £1,033.00 £599.78 £202,553.97 Gain Less Operatlng Exp•ns Advertising & Marketing Business Mileageffiavel Exwses Cleaning Equipmenl Fuel (Vehicle) Insurance IT Software and Consurnables Postage, Freight & Courier Printing & Slats"onery Rent Repaiis & Maintenance Subseriptions Telephone & Internet Volunt[ Meals Total O ratin £251.95 £285.65 £22.50 £423.50 £1,108.07 £408.21 £3.99 £38.52 £1,768.89 £2,619.00 £447.20 £828.00 £55.00 £313.37 £8.573.85 nses Net Galn £32 232.39 Treasurer Examiner ILIpizl Chair of Trustees
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner"s Report Report to the trusteesl members of Kingsbridge Area Foodbank On accounts for the year ended 31. March 2021 Charity no (rfany) 1189068 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 3110312021 (Commencing 1510412020) Responsibilitles and basis of report As the charTty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respec of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Direthons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the ACL I have compteted my examinatson. I confimi that no matenal matters have come to my attention in connectron with the examination which gives me cause to beSieve that in, any material respect.. accountir4J records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accourrts do not awxd with the accounting records Independent examinerfs ststement I have no conoms arKI have come acmss no otrEr matters in connedion with the examination to whi( attentron should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accourrts to be reached. . Please delete the wonts in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Name: Peter Coates Relevant professional qualificationls) or body (rfanyl- Chartered Accountant Retired Address: Orchard View. 1 Huish Cottages, South Huish. Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ73EJ IER October 2018