Food Bank
For current needs and other information visit CTIPA Food Bank’s Facebook page.
Aims of the Charity: To provide a weeks supply of food for those who find themselves in financial crisis & to direct them to agencies to overcome their financial problems.
The CTIPA foodbank has continued to provide for those in need in our community throughout covid and lockdown. This was carefully managed, with deliveries being taken to customer’s homes by our small team of volunteer drivers. The public continued to provide donations (by way of goods and of money) throughout covid and we are grateful for the continued support.
This CTIPA project, which started on the 6th October 2011, is managed by a separate management group and run by a team of around 30 volunteers who work in various roles. We run as an independent foodbank.
The chair or our management group is Michelle Brown (please see our facebook page to meet Michelle and for the latest news and information) .
“The aim is to provide food for those in our community who find themselves in financial crisis. A non-judgemental, sympathetic welcome is given to clients and in addition to being given food, they are signposted to organisations to help them overcome their immediate problems”.
The response from the local community is outstanding with dried and tinned food, toiletries and cleaning products, as well as petfood for dogs and cats being donated via boxes in local supermarkets (Tesco, Co-op, Morrisons, Lidl, and Thornes) as well as village stores and churches.
The area covered by the food bank is from Crowlas to Praa Sands and west to the Land’s End peninsula. The neighbouring areas of Carbis Bay and Hayle also run independent food banks.
Unfortunately, there are some misconceptions among the public with some individuals under the impression that anyone can come to the charity and receive food, but each client needs a “referral”. Paper vouchers have not been used since covid. To receive a referral, a client needs to have been assessed as in financial crisis by a professional from one of around fifty agencies in the area. Agencies include GP’s surgeries, health visitors, midwives, social workers, housing authorities, CAB, the Job Centre, schools and the woman’s refuge. Clients can receive up to 6 referrals in any six month period, obtaining them one at a time, preferably from the same agency. If they remain in crisis, for example due to benefit delays, an increased number of vouchers may be accepted.
In recent years there has been some confusion as a new organisation has been established nearby, called Food for Families, which is a CIC (Community Interest Company), not a charity. They help anyone claiming to be in food poverty, whatever the reason, and do not use vouchers. They also open one morning a week allowing anyone to have food from their ‘best before’ stock but a donation must be made, either money or in kind. The organisation kindly helps those who attend their base, who may be entitled to vouchers, by notifying where vouchers may be obtained.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
Volunteers can be contacted from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 07950 159841. Our volunteer dealing with your phone call will be able to guide you to one of the many agencies who can make a referral to us. Vouchers are no longer issued (since covid) and the various agencies make referrals to us either by phone or by email. Our volunteer will then phone the customer to establish their needs for the forthcoming week, and agree a delivery day and time. Callers may not receive an immediate response if the volunteer is driving or at work – but leave a message and our volunteer will get back to you.
COULD YOU VOLUNTEER?
If you are interested, please contact us by email penzancefoodbank@churchestogetherinpenzance.co.uk or phone 07950 159841 for information. Strong men to help with lifting are always welcome!
For current needs and other information visit CTIPA Food Bank’s Facebook page.