Grantham Foodbank Registered Charity Number 1195874
Annual Report for 2023
Summary
Foodbanks provide emergency food, collected from within the local community, for distribution to local people in crisis. Grantham Foodbank was launched on 1st July 2011 as a Charitable Association. From September 2021 the original charity transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Association Model). It was developed under the auspices of Churches Together in Grantham and District and is part of the national foodbank network seeded by the Trussell Trust.
In its full twelfth year of operation (January-December 2023) Grantham foodbank has received, 63.4 tonnes of food - of which 19.1 tonnes was purchased (2022 – 64.0 tonnes - of which 6.1 tonnes purchased). We distributed 66.6 tonnes (2022 – 64.6 tonnes ) directly to clients. This provided 3 days of food to 5,164 adults (2022 – 3,585 adults) and 2,848 children (2022 – 2,103 children) in crisis. The number of registered agencies issuing vouchers during the year was 69 (2022 – 60).
Of the 3,728 vouchers fulfilled in 2023, 1,895 vouchers were issued to single clients (2022, 1,044 an increase of 82%). The Trussell Trust does not require clients to be identified by gender but we estimate this group is made up of 26% women and 74% men.
The growth in the provision of food since its launch is demonstrated in the following graph.
The Department for Work and Pensions publishes monthly statistics for the number of people on Universal Credit in each Job Centre Plus district. 62.5% (55.0% in 2022) of all food vouchers fulfilled in 2023 were issued by Grantham Job Centre Plus .
Throughout 2023 the number of people on Universal Credit at Grantham Job Centre Plus has been steadily increasing to a new peak of 6,453 (5,932 at end 2022)
Highlights of the Year
Food Collections
Incoming food to the warehouse totalled 63.4 tonnes (64.0 in 2022) including :
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33.6 tonnes (41.1 in 2022) from the public,
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3.1 tonnes (8.7 in 2022) from commercial companies
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4.5 tonnes (7.4 in 2022) from supermarket collections
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19.1 tonnes (6.1 in 2022) purchased.
Included in the ‘donations from public’ section is the local ‘Harvest Festival’ collections and the ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ appeal, which was featured on The One Show.
Food Distribution
Total food distribution was 67.7 tonnes (66.8 in 2022) with 66.6 tonnes (64.6 in 2022) going directly to clients.
Other Foodbank Services
Fresh, frozen, toiletries, and pet food
In addition to the standard food parcels we have been privileged to be able to distributing frozen bread, supplied by local stores and bakeries (a big thank you to Bloomsbury bakery), along with fresh milk and potatoes (courtesy of the NFU). Our relationship with MARS continues, who help with donations of pet food. We are also thankfull to Moy Park for their support in regular supply of frozen chicken/turkey based food items.
Ongoing relationships with companies
We continue to build really good relationships with local companies who have been supporting the community with toys, Christmas fresh food family hampers, and providing treats for children. New companies are being explored and a number are forging links with us as more local people struggle with the ‘cost of living’ crisis and demand on the foodbank continues to increase.
Volunteers
We have a strong core base of around 45 volunteers with additional support from local business throughout the year helping at busy times, such as Harvest and Christmas. The Foodbank is extremely grateful for the devotion of all our volunteers, and continue to recruit new volunteers into our ‘family’.
Supporters
The level of support, both financially and via food contributions, from local Churches, Schools and the wider community continues to amaze us and we are thankful for their contribution enabling us to restore dignity and revive hope for those in crisis. We are also grateful for the continued support of Grantham Estates.
Chair's Report
In 2023, Grantham Foodbank as a charity turned 12, and with it came some amazing opportunities as well as some challenges. The Foodbank continues to be a resource for those in food crisis and as a vehicle of compassion in our town and surrounding villages. While the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be in the past, other crises have meant higher food prices, lower wages, and higher fuel and energy costs. As predicted, we have seen an increase in people needing support with food parcels, and this is only ever increasing. There is still a great need in our Grantham communities and this need will only increase in 2023 with the continuing rise in food, fuel and energy costs. We are grateful that the Foodbank continues to be a blessing to our town and surrounding villages, especially in these immensely challenging times.
People’s generosity has been astounding. Many people have chosen to give money rather than food in 2023, and with the rise in having to purchase more food in 2023, the trustees have decided to set aside an even larger surplus to buy much needed food. As the cost of living continues to rise, the financial gifts sacrificially given to us are very much appreciated. Proverbs 11:25 says ‘A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. ’ May all who have given so liberally and compassionately be blessed in their generosity.
2023 was a big year of change for Grantham Foodbank. My report comes to you as the new Chair of Trustees, after Rev Samantha Parsons stepped down as Chair last summer. I was keen to take on this role, as I am so aware that the Foodbank provides an incredible resource to so many people in Grantham, and how easily things can change that anyone could need that support. Stepping into Rev Sam’s shoes was daunting, but she left the Foodbank in a fantastic position with an excellent and dedicated group of Trustees. I want to thank Rev Sam for her work and dedication to Grantham Foodbank, and for all the support she has given me personally as I have taken on this role.
In 2023 we also said goodbye to Brian Hanbury as Grantham Foodbank Co-ordinator, after over a decade dedicated to the charity. Brian’s commitment to the Foodbank over the years was much appreciated by Trustees, Volunteers, and Clients alike, and we all wish him the very best as he moves on. We also said goodbye to a very dedicated Trustee, Toni Blakey, who was a great asset to the team. We wish her the very best in the future.
With some goodbyes, we have also said Hello. Dorothy Gaughan became Grantham Foodbank Coordinator last summer, almost at the same time I arrived as Chair of Trustees. She came into the role with enthusiasm and has been an excellent addition to the Grantham Foodbank team. Dorothy continually seeks out ways to creatively adapt to the changes and challenges we face, especially with the rise in clients and the need to purchase more food. We look forward to all that Dorothy will continue to bring to the role.
We continue to thank God for our wonderful team of volunteers and welcomed more in 2023, though we are always looking for more volunteers. It is with their dedication, hard work, adaptability, flexibility, compassion, and resilience in the face of all the challenges and changes faced daily that is the lifeblood of the organisation. I pray that God will continue to bless them all for their faithful service to the people of Grantham.
In the past the Foodbank has offered other services within the premises that provide help and support to those in need. These were suspended during the Covid pandemic but some have reopened again, and we are continually seeking ways to offer more help to those who need it most in Grantham.
I am indebted to my colleagues on the Board of Trustees for all their wisdom, expertise and dedication which helps to drive forward the work and vision of the Foodbank. During 2023, we welcomed some new Trustees to the team, taking it from a team of 5 to a team of 8 Trustees. On top of our already in place Trustees Kevin Hunt, Michelle Feasey, Brian Deptford, Chris Callow, and myself, we also welcomed Matthew Beniston, Jackie Gozalez, and Wendy Bentley, all bringing incredible expertise, ideas, and enthusiasm to the roles.
It is a source of great sadness that a foodbank is needed in Grantham, but while the need exists, we are thankful to be able to provide this service to the community and grateful to all who support it through their time, resources and prayers. This year being a General Election year, and all the political turbulence that brings to the nation, I pray that those who hold power will think especially of those who regularly use our Foodbanks across the nation and pray for a future where one won’t be needed.
Every blessing – Mother Hannah Grivell, Chair of trustees.
Treasurer's Report
Income
We have continued to be blessed with wonderful support both financial and through food donations. We have been particularly well supported by local businesses and charities, as well as our church and regular supporters, together with wonderful one-off donations. Donations of food have been very generous, and we have used these, together with spending an increased amount on purchasing of food to support our families.
Expenditure
The two most significant ongoing items of expenditure are the rent of the premises and the employment costs of our Co-ordinator. Our landlords rent the premises to us at a very generous rent, and to that end, we will pay our 2024 rent in advance for the year. We have signed a three-year lease, which will provide us with premises stability until at least 31[st] December 2026. To run an operation of this nature and complexity these are costs that cannot be avoided.
Last year I flagged our concerns regarding increased pressures on the Charity due to the potential of reduced donations and increased purchasing requirements. Thankfully, donations have remained strong, which have enabled us to increase our food purchases, and support more clients. The level of purchasing is now such, that we have a designed purchasing volunteer, who has done a wonderful job in sourcing food at the very best prices. We should like to particularly thank Asda and Aldi, who assisted us in the bulk purchase of food. The NFU have supported us in providing a generous donation for the purchase of fresh local milk. We are maintaining a reserve of £20,000 which has been set aside for food purchases, in 2022 about £10,000 was spent on purchasing food, this increased to over £35,000 in 2023.
Assets and Reserves
The Van, purchased in 2020, is now being written off over a 5 year period to reflect the reduction in the value of this asset.
Our bank reserves remain strong, and the funds invested in the CCLA are now providing us with a good rate of monthly interest.
We continue to review our reserves policy, and at present have £50,000 for running costs, £20,000 for food purchases, and £5,000 to equipment. It is a worrying fact that some of our clients have little or limited equipment with which to prepare and cook food. To assist clients with purchasing these essential items a reserve of £5000 has been set aside.
Annual Accounts
Both the income and expenditure figures include “donations in kind”. This includes the value of the food we distribute, but not the value of the 4000+ hours of volunteer time.
A summary of Income and Expenditure for the CIO is shown in annex 5.
Michelle Feasey – Treasurer
| Grantham Foodbank CIO | Grantham Foodbank CIO | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts for the | year ended | ||||||
| 31st December 2023 | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Income | |||||||
| Financial donations: | |||||||
| Churches | 5,520 | 3,019 | |||||
| Regular donors | 16,125 | 10,068 | |||||
| One-off donors | 29,150 | 36,490 | |||||
| Other Charities | 7,869 | 7,317 | |||||
| Businessess | 30,066 | 28,015 | |||||
| 88,730 | 84,909 | ||||||
| Donations in | kind: | ||||||
| Food donated | 108,099 | 86,502 | |||||
| Other income: | |||||||
| Gift aid tax reclaimed | 606 | 509 | |||||
| Interest income | 6,862 | 977 | |||||
| 7,468 | 1,486 | ||||||
| Total income | 204,297 | 172,897 | |||||
| Expenditure: | |||||||
| Co-ordinator | wages and pension costs | 18,445 | 14,877 | ||||
| Premises costs: | |||||||
| Rent | 10,000 | 833 | |||||
| Elec, Gas and phone | 4,126 | 3,609 | |||||
| Water and waste removal | 783 | 498 | |||||
| Insurance | 1,646 | 1,796 | |||||
| Repairs and renewals | 1,960 | 1,879 | |||||
| 18,515 | 8,615 | ||||||
| Food and provisions: | |||||||
| Distributed food | 148,300 | 84,472 | |||||
| Printing, stationery & computer costs | 1,459 | 735 | |||||
| Motor expenses | 3,332 | 2,334 | |||||
| Vehicle depreciation | 3,696 | 2,156 | |||||
| Professional and legal fees | 1,746 | 748 | |||||
| Bank charges | 111 | ||||||
| Other expenses | 1,122 | 781 | |||||
| 196,726 | 114,718 | ||||||
| Surplus of income over expenditure | ~~7,571~~ | ~~58,179~~ | |||||
| Transferred from Grantham foodbank (Charity No:1146588) | 192,095 | ||||||
| Reserves brought forward | 250,274 | ||||||
| Reserves carried forward | Unrestricted funds | 177934 | 175,274 | ||||
| Designated funds | 75000 | 252,934 | 75,000 | ||||
| Restricted funds | 4,911 | ||||||
| ~~257,845~~ | ~~250,274~~ |
Grantham Foodbank CIO Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023
| Reserves balance Represented by: Bank and cash balances Unrestricted Restricted Refridgerated van Stock of food Prepaid rent |
257,845 250,274 225,623 203,686 4,911 11,088 14,784 16,223 21,804 10,000 |
257,845 250,274 225,623 203,686 4,911 11,088 14,784 16,223 21,804 10,000 |
257,845 250,274 225,623 203,686 4,911 11,088 14,784 16,223 21,804 10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 257,845 | 250,274 |
NB: 2022 accounts are for the CIO only, and therefore are only for part of the year, the remaining part of this year was reported under Grantham Foodbank Charity No: 1146588
CTax Management 13 Locks Close Deeping St James Peterborough PE6 8RA D• you see os o problem - we don't Tel: 01778 348412 Fax: 0870 4285989 Imlependent Examiners Reportto the Trustees ofGrantham FoodbAnk CIO Accounts Period Year 2023 Clwxty Number. 1195874 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chariry ethe Trust* for the period from the irt January 2023 to the 311¢ December 2023. Responsknaities andbasis ofreport: As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requxrements of the Charities Act 2011 ethe Actty. I report in respecc of my examinarion of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the 2pplicabEe Directions given by the Chariry Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examirters Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my actentton in connection wirh the examinarion which gives me reasonable cause to believe that any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the Charities Act have not been met, or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Carl Midgley A ax Management 4th October 2024 E4noil.' corlmidgley@ctoxmonagementco.uk Website.. wvrn.ctoxmanogementco.uk RStered Offi£e'. 13 Locks C105e, Deeping St larne5, Pet•through. PE6 BPA crax Mafiagem•nt Is rrading name of CT Management Ltd Rw'¥tered England No. 4607336