How food banks work
Our community of more than 1,400 food banks offer compassion, advice and practical support to people left without enough money to live on.
What is a food bank?
Food banks provide emergency food and practical support to people who have been left without enough money to live on.
People also get emotional support, and a reminder that they are not alone and someone understands. The volunteers at food banks offer a friendly face and basic kindness. For many people, it’s the first time someone has sat down and listened to them – especially when they have been worn down by the way our social security system currently works.
Emergency food
What is a food voucher?
A food voucher is required to get help from a food bank. Community organisations such as housing associations, GPs and advice charities can provide a referral for a food voucher, which is then exchanged at a food bank for a food parcel.
Food banks can provide more information on how and where to get a food voucher.
More than food
We offer holistic support and advice to people, often at their toughest moment, in two ways: through funding advisers at food banks, and through our free Help through Hardship telephone helpline with Citizens Advice.
This wraparound approach connects people with wider support and puts more money into their pockets, making it far less likely someone will need a food bank in the future.
Who runs food banks?
Food banks are run by a local community, for the local community. From trustees through to volunteers, food bank teams are local people committed to providing support across their area.
Each food bank in the Trussell community is an independent charity, with an independent board of trustees.
How we support food banks
We stand together with thousands of churches, local volunteers and community charities running food banks across the UK. We’ll always need strong communities looking out for each other, and we’ll support them to create lasting change.
