TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK
Annual Report l January 2024- 31 December 2024
Registered Charity Number 1198161

TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK
Report and Accounts 2024
Report from the Chair of the Trustees
Trustees, Report
Status of Charity and Governing Document
Charity Information
Charitable Purpose and Objectives
2024 Activities and Financial review
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Tavistock
Foodbank
10 Income and Expenditure Account
11 Balance Sheet
12 Notes to the Accounts

Report from the Chair of the Trustees
Over the past year our teams of volunteers have continued to work very
effectively. We are grateful to each and every one, as they ensure that we
continue to serve those in need in our community. Our established team has
welcomed new volunteers over the past twelve months. We are grateful for
the services of our dedicated volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the
running of the Foodbank, including our trustees who oversee the work of the
foodbank,
Many of the churches in our town are represented amongst our trustee board,
each of whom is a vital link to our local churches. I would like to thank
Tavistock Area Christians Together {TACTI who oversee our work and take an
active interest in supporting the Foodbank.
We are grateful for Tavistock United Reformed Church, as the church
continues to provide the venue as a distribution point, a storage facility for
some of the goods that we distribute and a provider of meals and
refreshments via the Lower Deck Cafe. We are also grateful to West Devon
Borough Council for their continued provision of our additional warehouse
space in Pitts Cleave, which enables eff icient stock handling.
Tavistock continues to be a town of generous people and local groups. I would
like to record our thanks to all the donors from our community who regularly
donate food and money to Foodbank, many of whom are anonymous. I would
also like to mention our local supermarkets and other businesses for the
provision of collection points. We are grateful to those local businesses who
support our Tavistock Foodbank voucher schemes through the supply of fresh
fruit and vegetables, or fresh meat, or fuel vouchers.
With our 3mazin8 team of trustees and volunteers. I look forward to
another year as we serve and support our local community
Robert Weston
Chair of Trustees

Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial
statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Status of Charlty and Governing Document
The Tavistock Foodbank was set up in 2012, its constitution was adopted on 16
July 2012 and amended during 2021 and 2022. It was established with the
support of several local churches as a member of the Trussell Trust network of
Foodbanks in the United Kingdom and it adheres to the governance and
polices of the Trussell Trust.
The foodbank was registered as a Charity on the 8 March 2022 and is governed
by a Constitution of Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Charity information
Trustees
Rev Robert Weston
Rosemarie Collins Crook
Vicky Dawson
Joan Dennis
Julie Jillians
Hilary Johnson
Anne Keogh
Julie Lloyd
Deborah Palmer
Sian Pope
Anthony Welsh
Chair
Secretary
Retired June 2024
Treasurer
Appointed May 2024
Appointed May 2024
Address
United Reformed Church
Russell Street, Tavistock
PL19 8BD
Independent Examiner
Andrew Wing LLB FCA
Unit I Pearl Assurance House
Elbow Lane, Tavistock
PL19 OBG

Charitable Purposes and Objectives
The relief of poverty by supplying emergency food parcels and other essential
supplies either directly or through agency partners approved by the trustees to
those in need in Tavistock, the surrounding area and in other areas. The
alleviation of hunger caused by the lack of opportunities or resources to obtain
sufficient food. The provision of support by such other means including but not
limited to signposting to relevant information and other advisory services.
We supply food parcels containing 3 days supply of nutritionally balanced food
and basic household products to everyone referred to Us who is in food crisis
for whatever reason. We aim to collect this through food donations from the
local community and top up purchases funded by cash donations. We work
with the referring agents in the Tavistock area to ensure everyone who is in
food crisis is referred to the Foodbank. We engage with the local community to
provide enough volunteers to give our clients food, a warm welcome and a
non-judgemental space to be listened to and signposted to further appropriate
help.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of
Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit
guidance published by the Charities Commission for England and Wales.

2024 Activities and Financial review
The Foodbank started the year in a strong financial position, cash reserves
were £41.8k. 2024 has seen a downturn, the value of goods and discretionary
vouchers distributed to Foodbank clients exceeded the monetary value of
donations. Cash reserves fell across the year from £41.8k to £30.Ik. In
summary:
> The Income and Expenditure Report {Page 101 shows a loss of £9,448 for
the year, compared to a gain of £2,376 in 2023.
The value of goods distributed or written off in 2024 was £49.3k,
compared to £49.8k in 2023.
> The value of discretionary vouchers issued, for fresh fruit and
vegetables, fresh meat, and for energy cost support, was £21.8k in 2024,
and £19.6k in 2023. An increase year on year of Il%.
> Donations of funds and goods in 2024 were £69.4k compared to £82.6k
in 2023, a drop of 16%.
> Year-end food stocks increased by 36% from £11.3k at 31 December
2023 to £15.4k at 31 December 2024.
> The Foodbank made a Gift Aid claim covering the years 2022 and 2023.
The tax refund contributed £3.2k to cash reserves.
The table below shows the numbers of individuals SUPPOrted by the Foodbank,
1,824 in 2024, 1,810 in 2023.
2024
703
2022
2021
2020
392
Foodbank Voucliers Issued
286
People Helped..
Adults
Children
Total
1098
1141
957
420
293
713
624
402
1026
726
1824
669
1810
667
1624
Whilst the financial position at the end of 2024 remains healthy, the Trustees
will review the status at regular intervals during 2025. In line with the Reserves
Policy Ipage 121, the Foodbank's Reserves should be sufficient to allow it to
operate for a minimum 6-month period. At current client levels this represents
a Reserves value of £1Sk to £20k. As deemed necessary by the Trustees, action
may be taken to boost funds.. additional fund-raising measures and grant
applications, or, to cut costs- vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh
meat and for energy cost support and CAB provision.

Warehouse Activities
The collection and distribution of food to service the continuing demand from
our clients would not be possible without the hard working and reliable
volunteers in our warehouse teams.
Stock is managed within two storage facilities. A unit at Pitts Cleave provided
by West Devon Borough Council where incoming goods are sorted and dated.
The second warehouse is at the URC church, where we aim to hold sufficient
stock to service a weekly distribution session.
We are dependent on the generosity of donors who supplied us with food and
other household goods through the collection bins in local shops. We a150
benefited from church and school collections at Christmas and Harvest, from
donations from Blue Cross, Cadburfs and Ambrosia and donations from
special events in Tesco. Unfortunately, 328kg of incoming stock was out of
date or damaged. To meet demand, we supplement donated items with the
purchase of goods and 2,357kg were bought in 2024. We continue to use social
media to highlight specifi'c items where there are product shortfalls.
Our food donation5 over the last 5 years were:
2024
16,497
2023
19,434
2022
21,824
2021
2020
Food Donations KG
14,080
26,421
Volunteers
We currently have excellent and stable team5 at front of house, in the
warehouse and in administration, including safeguarding. We have been
recruiting for an administrative volunteer and have now found the ideal
candidate. All our volunteers are thoughtful, proactive, and committed to
their roles. We endeavour through active recruitment to ensure we alway5
have sufficient volunteers. The process of recruitment has recently been
reviewed and is currently being updated to ensure it follows a fair and rigorous
process. The front of house team creates an environment where people feel
respected and well supported. To help front of house team members achieve
this, several are booked on to online Trussell training courses in Spring 2025,
including 'Conver5ations with Vulnerable People,.

The warehouse teams at both Pitts Cleave store and at the URC store are
effi'cient and flexible. The stock is kept well labelled, sorted and stored
appropriately.
Effective signposting is a core part of the Trussell food bank model and our
volunteers have worked hard to ensure that they provide accurate and
relevant information that might offer further support during a client's period of
financial hardship. We h2vp. prndijr.pd nLJr own leaflets that detail local and
national support on the various categories that affect our Foodbank clients,
lives including housing, drugs and alcohol etc. The presence of Citizens Advice
at the weekly Foodbank has proved to be an invaluable service providing both
advice and making onward referral appointments for CAB services. We are
working well with our referral agencies to ensure that referral guidelines are
clear. Two volunteers are visiting each agency to discuss these guidelines. We
re also in the process of updating our Referral Handbook. If a client is issued
with more than 3 vouchers in 6 months, we undertake a holistic review of their
situation, not only speaking to their referral agency but also signposting clients
to the appropriate agencies to support them.
We continue to see a significant number of clients with mental health i55ues.
Our front of house volunteers are supportive, taking time to listen and to
discuss with compassion and empathy often over a cup of tea. Our offer of 4
free meals at the Lower Deck Café with a Food Bank voucher enables clients to
have a hot, homecooked meal in a companiable setting.
I would like to thank our teams of volunteers who have responded so well to
the ongoing need in Tavistock and surrounding areas.
The Annual Report was approved by the Trustees of the charity on 21
March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Revd Robert Weston

Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Tavistock Foodbank
I report on the accounts of Tawstock Foodbank for the year ended 3181 De￿mber 2024. which
are set out on pages 10 to 13 below.
Respectwe responsibiif(ies of tntrstees {directoYsl and examiner
The organisation's trustees are responsibl8 for the preparation of the accounts. They Gonsider
that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(21 the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011
Act) and thal an independent examination is needed. It is my r8sF)onsibilty to..
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
To follow the prO￿dUreS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
88sl$ of Independent Examinerf8 Statement
My examination was ¢arried out in a¢¢ordance with the General D1￿CtionS given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
organisation and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations
from the trustees conceming any such matters. The pro¢edures undertaken do not provide
811 the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an audit
opinion on the accounts.
Indep8ndgnt Examkn•rf8 stat￿nt
In connection with my examination, no matter ha8 Come to my attention..
{1) which gtves me reasonable cause to beI￿ve that in any material ￿SpeCt the requirement8:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.,
and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting rec<)rd8, comply with the a¢¢ounting
requiremenls of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and wrth the methods and
principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by
Charities have not been met., or
(2> to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in ord8r to enabb a proper
understanding of the accounts to be rea¢hed.
A Wing LLB FCA
{Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & INales)
Wings Accountants Ltd. Unit 1, Pearl Assurance House, Elbow Lane, Tavistock. Devon PL19
OBG
Date

TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK
Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Unre5tri(ted
Funds
2024
Unrestricted
Fund5
2023
Income
Donations- Cash
Donations- Food
Donation5- Vouchers
Gift Aid Recovery
Interest
TtL Income
23,669
45,695
io
36,529
46,058
320
3,213
466
T3.053
162
Expenditure
Distributed Goods
Food donations- distributed
Food donations- wrÈtten off
Food Purchased
Fruit and Veg Voucher5
Meat Vouchers
Energy VoLJchers
L Distributed Goods
42,609
I,ioi
4,363
5,085
5,720
8,799
69.370
5,817
5,7(X)
10.250
71.165
Other Charitable Attivities
Citizens Advice Bureau
Donations
4,390
5,410
5,670
Administration Costs
Professional Fees
Postage and Stationery
Logo Goods
Equipment
Insurance and Data Protertion
Mobile Phone
Travel Claims
Sundries
L Administration Costs
3C
263
73
173
270
120
146
550
591
144
179
214
150
313
1.012
3,153
191
1.536
Total Expenditure
82.502
80,693
Net Income l Expenditurè
2.376
Net Movement in Funds
FundsB/F
Opening Stock Revaluation
FundsCIF
-9,448
53,059
2.376
48,935
1,748
53,059
45,514
io

TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK
Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Food Stocks
15,357
11,276
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Cash at Bank
Petty Cash
rrL Cash
29,950
207
30,157
41,685
i(x)
41.785
Total Net Assets
45,514
53,059
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted Funds
45,514
53,059
The Financial Statements were approved by the Trustees on 21 March 2025
And were signed on its behalf by
JML LQO (J
Julie Lloyd
Treasurer
li

Notes to the Accounts:
Basis of Preparation of the Accounts
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the
Charities Act 2011.
Policy on reserves
Reserves Policy
Our reserves policy is aimed to ensure our work is protected from disruption at
short notice due to lack of funds. The reserves held are to allow the
continuance of our objectives whilst ensuring we do not retain income for
longer than required. These unrestricted reserves are not intended to cover a
permanent loss of funds. They are intended to provide an internal source of
funds for 51tuations such as:
A temporary fall in income or increase in expenditure
One-time unbudgeted expenditure
Allowing the foodbank to respond to a permanent fall in income, or
increase in expenditure
The trustees regularly review the reserves, the aim is to ensure they are
adequate to fulfil the Foodbank's non-discretionary services for a minimum 6-
month period.
Fund accounting
All funds are unrestricted and can be used in accordance with the charitable
objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Accounting Estimates and Judgements
In preparing the financial statements estimates and judgements have been
made in the valuation of food stocks and household items when applying the
accounting policies for a fair value. These are evaluated on an ongoing basis
and are based on historical experience.
Recognition of Income and Expenditure
The accounts are prepared on a cash basis.
Stocks
Stocks comprise food, toiletries and other household products held for
distribution by the Foodbank. Stocks are valued at fair value after allowance for
obsolete or slow-moving items. Rates used to value stock are £2.77 / kg in 2024
accounts (Trussell Trust guidance October 20241, £2.371 kg in the 2023
12

accounts. The adjustment in rates has given a revaluation gain on opening
stock of £1,903.
2024
2023
Food in Stock B/F
Food Donations
Food Distri buted
Food written Of*
Food in Stock C/F
Movement in Food Stock
kg
kg
kg
kg
4,758
16,497
15,382
328
4,482
19,434
18,693
465
4,758
277
5,544
786
kg
Rate per KG
Food in Stock BIF
BIF Stock Revaluation
Food Donations
Food Distributed
Food written Off
Food i n Stock C/F
Movement in Food Stock
2.77
2.37
11,276
1,903
45,695
42,6
8,874
1,748
46,058
44,303
I,ioi
11,276
655
15,357
2,177
13