BANBURY FOODBANK
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1204982
REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
BANBURY FOODBANK
Trustees: Philip Ferdani (appointed 29 September 2023) Susan Neal (appointed 29 September 2023) Matthew Odu (appointed 29 September 2023) Anne Cooper (appointed 22 May 2025) Manager: Sarah Williams
Address: The Peoples Church The Church Centre Horse Fair Banbury OX16 0AH Independent Examiner: Jeffrey Prescott FCA
1
BANBURY FOODBANK
Report of the Trustees for the period ended 31 December 2024
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the cha are to prevent or relieve poverty or financial hardship in Banbury and the surrounding area by working with local churches to:
a) provide emergency food and other items to families and individuals in need; b) distribute such goods to other charities or organisations working to relieve poverty; and
c) provide such individuals and families with advice and support or signposting to relevant advisory service
The charity collects donations of food and other items from individuals, supermarkets and other organisations. These are distributed to those individuals and families in need and who are referred to the chairty from a number of referral agencies. The distribution of said donations occurs at three centres: The Peoples Church, St. Joseph’s Church and St Francis’ Church. The charity has also worked with Citizens Advice to provide financial advice to clients initially at The Peoples Church, with the addition of the service at St Joseph’s and St Francis in December. Clients were also signposted to other service providers who are able to provide more long-term support and advice. A restricted grant of £2,499 was received at the end of 2024 from Cherwell District Council for reducing the energy bills of those in need by purchasing low energy household items. This will be used in 2025.
The trustees have reviewed the activities of the charity are satisfied that all its activities meet the requirements of the Charities Commission; that is, they are for charitable purposes only and are accessible to all the residents of Banbury and the surrounding area who are in need. The activities are within the scope of the charity’s Objects.
The charity does not make grants.
The work of volunteers is essential to the work of the charity. There are between 60 and 70 volunteers supporting the charity in various roles, in the warehouse, at the distribution centres and at food collections.
Achievements and performance
Banbury Foodbank was approved by the Charities Commission on 29 September 2023. The trustees then worked with trustees of The Peoples Church (charity number 1137118) on transferring the governance of the foodbank operated by The Peoples Church to the new charity. Transfer of governance occurred on 18 April 2024. Clients are referred to Foodbank from a number of agencies across the town. A total of 1,598 referrals were made. Since the transfer date emergency food parcels have been distributed from the three partner locations; The Peoples Church on Tuesday mornings, St. Joseph’s Church on Monday and Wednesday mornings and St Francis’ Church on Thursday mornings and evenings. Each distribution location was supported by a team of volunteers. During the reporting period total of 4,044 people comprising 2,511 adults and 1,533 children were provided with emergency food parcels.
2
BANBURY FOODBANK
Report of the Trustees for the period ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
A total 30,639 Kg of food and other items were distributed. In partnership with Citizens Advice, Financial Inclusion advice was put in place initially at The Peoples Church.
This enables clients to improve their financial planning and so enable them to budget for food items. This was then rolled out across all three distribution centres. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of clients subsequently returning for further support.
Financial Review
In April 2024 The Peoples Church transferred £89,529 in cash to Banbury Foodbank. This comprised the Banbury Foodbank restricted fund held by The Peoples Church at that date. In addition the food stock, a Renault van and other equipment was transferred to the Foodbank.
At the 31 December 2024 the charity held £77,930 in cash. During the period it suffered an operating deficit of £11,599.
The reserves policy states the charity shall hold reserves equivalent to approximately one year’s expenditure.
Because of the challenging economic circumstances there has been a noticeable decline in the donations of food from the public. To maintain the level of service to clients significant purchases of food have been required costing £13,413. This is not sustainable in the long term. This is being addressed through regular focused collections at supermarkets which will increase the availability of food and other items and reduce the need for purchases.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees in line with the Approved Governing Document.
The charity is a franchise partner of The Trussell Trust (1110522). As such the charity operates within the governance framework provided by Trussell Trust, following the policies, procedures and guidance.
The charity works with Citizens advice to provide Financial Inclusion.
Signed : Philip Ferdani
Date: 17 April 2026
Chair of the Trustees
3
BANBURY FOODBANK
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Banbury FoodBank
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Signed: Jeffrey Prescott FCA
Date: 17 April 2026
Address: Grays Essex
4
BANBURY FOODBANK
Receipts and payments accounts Period 29 September 2023 to 31 December 2024
| Receipts Grants for specific purposes Donations Gift aid refund Trussell Trust Payments Salaries Employer's National Insurance Food Consulting IT costs Lighting & heating Motor expenses Repairs Subscriptions Entertaining Operating deficit Transfer from The Peoples Church Net movement in funds Balance sheet Cash at bank Fund balances |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds £ £ £ 2,499 2,499 21,075 21,075 5,369 5,369 989 989 |
|---|---|
| 27,433 2,499 29,932 |
|
| 23,516 23,516 1,248 1,248 13,413 13,413 850 850 268 268 342 342 1,349 1,349 456 456 35 35 54 54 |
|
| 41,531 0 41,531 |
|
| (14,098) 2,499 (11,599) 89,529 89,529 |
|
| 75,431 2,499 77,930 |
|
| 75,431 2,499 77,930 |
|
| 75,431 2,499 77,930 |
5
BANBURY FOODBANK
Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 December 2024
| Cash funds Lloyds bank Food stock Notional value @ £2.37/kg Other monetary assets Prepayments and accrued income Liabilities Accrued expenses Assets retained for the Renault Kangoo van charity's own use Warehouse shelving and equipment Office equipment Distribution centres equipment |
Unrestricted funds £ 75,431 22,527 12,625 3,369 Fund to which asset belongs Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted |
Restricted funds £ 2,499 |
|---|---|---|
Signed : Philip Ferdani
Date: 17 April 2026
Chair of the Trustees
6
BANBURY FOODBANK
Notes to the Accounts for the Period Ended 31 December 2024
1. The Trussell Trust
Each Foodbank in the Trussell Trust network is allocated a proportion of the financial donations given by partner supermarkets based on the weight of donations collected in their stores. In our case this relates to collections at Tesco, Banbury.
2. Delivery Van
The running costs of the van for the period cover fuel, maintenance and insurance.
3. Reserve
The Trustees have set a policy of maintaining unrestricted reserves equivalent to one year’s expenditure. This is in view of the irregularity of the Charity's income and the time needed to take action if income should fall below requirements and to allow an orderly winding-up of the Charity should sources of income cease.
4. Donations in Kind
We continue to be supported by the people of Banbury and district who donate food and toiletries through the collecting boxes at Tesco, Sainsburys and Waitrose supermarkets in the town. Schools, churches, community groups and local companies also provide donations for us in both cash and kind.
We are grateful for the cash donations which enable us to buy supplies to cover shortages as they occur.
5. The stock situation at 31 December 2024 is set out here:
| Stock transferred from The Peoples Church Stock received in the period Stock distributed in the period Stock held at 31 December |
Quantity 6,581 kilograms 33,562 kilograms (30,638) kilograms 9,505 kilograms |
|---|---|
7