## **Cranleigh Food Bank** ## **Annual Review/Report September 2023 to August 2024** ## **Trustees: Rosslyn Doney (Chair) Adrian Gosling, Hilary Clark, Stella Halloran** ## **Charity Overview** Cranleigh Foodbank has been in existence since 2014, and was in operation during the year September 2023 to August 2024. It has registered charity status. The charity exists to relieve poverty through the provision of food, toiletries and other household items in a manner which demonstrates God’s love. Cranleigh Food Bank operates each Friday morning throughout the year from Cranleigh Baptist Church, High Street, Cranleigh. Beneficiaries are able to receive food parcels following referral from local agencies and organisations. ## **Review of Activities 2023 to 2024** During the past year, we have been very busy, with a steady use of the Food Bank by local families, who represent the vast majority of our beneficiaries. Families, and single people who receive parcels live, mainly in Cranleigh, but also in Ewhurst, Shamley Green.Alfold and Dunsfold. 96% of parcels are provided to Cranleigh families and the remainder to families in surrounding villages. During the year to 31[st] August 2024 we have provided 1081 parcels of food, feeding 1648 adults and 1235 children. Parcels vary in size according to the size of the family and each parcel should provide enough food for 4– 5 days. Many local families find it difficult to deal with the rises in food prices and the varying cost of energy. They come to the Food Bank by referral from local organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Waverley Housing Department., local Home School Link Workers, the Probation Service, Local GPs and other health and social workers. In addition to the regular Friday opening, a 24/7 emergency service is provided for those in very urgent need. Food Bank has also benefitted this year from some non- food donations; Cranleigh Young Arts have provided activity packs for the Summer holidays and Cranleigh Prep School collected and donated drawing equipment, sketch books etc. Alongside the facility for providing food parcels, a drop in café is run for anyone who wishes to have a free cup of tea or coffee and a chat with one of the volunteers. During the past year the popularity of the drop in café has increased and many find that a listening ear is beneficial. The initiative to service hearings aids, now called ‘Hear Here’, also operates from Foodbank on the fourth Friday morning of each month and is staffed by a small group of volunteers who have all been trained by the Audiology Dept of the RSCH, and in conjunction with the Diocese of Guildford who coordinate the service. Anyone with an NHS hearing aid is welcome to come along, have it serviced and re-tubed as well as receiving batteries for it. Cranleigh CAB provide an advisor one Friday a month, who is available at the Foodbank to enable beneficiaries to get additional help where appropriate. This service is invaluable. ## **Donations during the year** As always, we are grateful for the many donations of food throughout the year, and particularly over the Christmas period when, in addition to our regular basic offer, we provided 83 Christmas hampers. These were offered to every family who had needed to use the Food Bank during the previous 6 months. (if they wished to have one). We are also grateful to the local supermarkets. Co-op and Sainsbury’s allow us to have a collection point in-store, where donations can be left by the public: Nationwide collected donations for us at Christmas, Rawlings’ butchers were very generous in providing fresh meat, and a vegetable stall in the market provided veg and fruit at cost price. We can also collect surplus M&S and Sainsbury’s food each Friday. Local Churches and organisations also collect for Foodbank and we are grateful to each of them. Financial donations from many local organisations, notably The Henry Smith Trust and Cranleigh Lions, as well as individuals, have enabled us to buy food items throughout the year; at times this is just to top up other donations but once the Christmas ‘glut’ is used up we have needed to buy increasing amounts of staple food; particularly so as donations of food have reduced. We are also generously funded by one family to buy fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese etc. each week. In addition to all the donations of food in kind, we have, during the past 12 months had cash donations from, Henry Smith Trust, Duke of Kent School, several Ewhurst fund-raising events and many individuals, totalling £19,149 We have spent £12,685 on food, £272 on Admin costs, £1000 donation to Cranleigh Baptist Church in lieu of rent and £245 on publicity and stationery. Since our registration as a charity we can now reclaim Gift Aid from HMRC for eligible financial donations ## **Volunteers** The Steering Group is very grateful to the volunteers who, each week, collect food from the donation points, shop for additional items, turn up regularly to receive stock, date and sort it, pack and distribute food to those in need, make refreshments and sit and talk with visitors. All our cakes and refreshments have been donated and none of those who run or help with Food Bank have asked for any expenses. The Food Bank currently has 31 regular volunteers, who give their time on Fridays from 8am to noon; some attend each Friday and some on alternate weeks. During the year we have benefited from approximately 3,700 hours of volunteer time. ## **Future Plans** We plan to continue the foodbank service on an ongoing basis during 2024-25. The trustees and steering group meet regularly to review emerging needs and trends. We will continue to maintain and build links with other local community groups to ensure the best outcomes for our beneficiaries. Without the generosity of the Cranleigh Community we would not be able to provide for the level of need that exists and we are grateful to all who have supported the Food Bank during the past year _Trustees and Steering Group of Cranleigh Food Bank_ September 2024 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Cranleigh Foodbank On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Charity no (if any) 1201740 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the wortls in the brackets if they do not apply. Date: 0411012024 Signed: Name: Jane Briggs Relevant professional FCPA IER qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Unit 3, The Dairy, Tilehouse Farm Offices, East Shalford Lane, Shalford Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8AE Section B D5sclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None to disclose IER CRANLEIGH FOODBANK PERIOD TO 31 AUGUST 2024 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT RECEIPTS 2023/2024 2022/2023 Personal Donations Organisation Donations TOTAL 13,921 4876 18,797 12,150 6559 18,709 PAYMENTS Administration Food Stationary and Photocopying Christmas In leiu of Rent TOTAL 404 12,662 272 12,686 245 477 1000 14,543 1,000 14,203 Excess of receipts over payments Cash in hand 1st September 2023 Unpresented chqs Lloyds Current Account at 1st Sep 2023 TOTAL 4,254 4,506 14 651 18,905 10 145 14,651 Lloyds Current Account at 31st Aug 2024 Unpresented cheques Cash in hand 31st Aug 2024 TOTAL 18,905 14,651 18,905 14,651