Foodbank needs donations

The foodbank team say growing demand, falling donations and declining food stocks reflect a crisis that is being felt in foodbanks across the country. 
As Swindon’s only foodbank, Swindon Food Collective exists to ensure that nobody in Swindon has to face the impossible choice between heating their home and putting food on the table. 
Every day, the charity supports local families, pensioners, people recovering from illness and those experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
Last year alone, Swindon Food Collective provided more than 90,000 meals to local people in crisis, and 33% of those meals went to children, highlighting the increasing number of families struggling to afford even the basics.
The charity is now seeing demand rise by 11% year-on-year, while food donations have fallen by 12%. Although these figures relate to Swindon, they mirror a growing national challenge as foodbanks across the UK report increasing pressure on their services.
Behind every statistic, the team say is a real person - the parent skipping meals so their children can eat, the older person sitting in a cold home because they have had to choose between heating and food, the patient leaving hospital to an empty kitchen cupboard. 
A Swindon Food Collective spokesperson said: "These are not isolated stories—they are becoming an everyday reality for many people, both here in Swindon and across the country.
"Each emergency food parcel provides enough food for three to five days and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, long-life milk, tea, coffee, toiletries and household essentials. 
"The charity also supplies seasonal treats, pet food and emergency items such as kettles, blankets, hot water bottles and slow cookers for those facing particularly difficult circumstances.
"Swindon Food Collective operates through 12 distribution centres and works alongside more than hundreds of referral organisations, including Citizens Advice, Livewell, the NHS, local authorities, schools and GPs. 
"It also provides Home From Hospital bags through Great Western Hospital, ensuring vulnerable patients returning home have food available when they need it most.
"Supporting all of this is an incredible team of 130 dedicated volunteers who generously give their time every week to collect donations, sort food, prepare and distribute parcels and support local people with kindness and dignity. 
"Their commitment is the backbone of the organisation, but staff and volunteers alone cannot meet the increasing demand without the continued support of the wider community."
To continue supporting our local community through food parcels, Swindon Food Collective (Foodbank) is appealing to local residents for donations. 
The spokesperson said: "If you are doing your weekly shop or clearing out your kitchen cupboards, please consider donating essential items to help individuals and families in need. 
"Much-needed donations include tinned and canned food, long-life milk, tea and coffee, cereal, toiletries and household cleaning products."
Donations can be made directly to Swindon Food Collective (Foodbank) in Westlea or via supermarket collection points across Swindon.
A full list of donation locations can be found at www.swindonfoodbank.com
The spokesperson added: "Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference. All donations made to Swindon Food Collective remain within our local community because we are proudly 'For Swindon, from Swindon.'"
 

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