About
About Northern Devon foodbank
Here is an introduction to our foodbank.
Our foodbank is was founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.
We opened in very modest premises in Bideford in July 2012. Within weeks we outgrew our first home and found larger temporary premises until settling at Supreme House. Simultaneously, we set up our Barnstaple Centre in the Salvation Army Hall but later moved to St Johns Community Centre. Evans Transport generously provided a separate warehouse in Bideford. New Centres at South Molton, Ilfracombe, Holsworthy, Braunton and Lynton have followed.
In addition to our core services, each Centre has its own locally led specialities. For example, Barnstaple houses an outreach office for the Citizens Advice, and Ilfracombe runs a “Pay-what-you-can” Community Café. The Centres are supported by central administration and warehousing volunteers.
Our More than Food programme includes encouraging supported volunteers and also running “Healthy Eating on a Budget” courses using professional tutors and portable kitchen/classroom equipment.
The Foodbank services about 850 square miles of Northern Devon from the local Centres and through our rural distribution network. The rural nature of our district sets us quite a challenge both logistically and financially.
About 100 wonderful volunteers make it all happen. Supported by 2 part-time paid staff. We are responsible employers accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and the Good Business Charter.