What We Do
We give nutritionally balanced food and support to people experiencing emotional or financial crisis. We are part of the Trussell Trust Foodbank network which is mobilising communities across the UK to meet the needs of their neighbours by setting up a Foodbank in their own town.
Could you donate to North Lakes Foodbank?
our mission
North Lakes Foodbank helps individuals and families in crisis, through the provision of emergency food supplies. All food is given to people who are experiencing crisis identified by care professionals – Advisory services for welfare and debt, medical teams, social workers, housing floating support teams, children's support teams, church and community/charity workers. We have more than 125 of these care professionals who are voucher holders for us. They give out vouchers which are exchanged for the food which is nutritionally balanced to last the individual, couple or family three days. The number of people throughout Allerdale and Copeland we are feeding each month is growing rapidly, with over 100% rise year on year. Some of the needs are as a result of benefit delay, low income, ill health, homelessness, sickness and housing issues.
We collect food from customers at supermarkets, churches, schools and through local groups. We see food as a catalyst for change by providing emergency food immediately to meet a crisis situation with some practical help while care professionals look at longer-term strategies.
We give out shopping lists for people to buy items of food from. The non-perishable food is handed in to collections points throughout Allerdale and Copeland. Food is given out from our distribution centres where clients are offered a hot drink, a biscuit and a friendly chat. Here, clients will be signposted to agencies to help further with their requirements. Voucher holders can pick up the food for clients if they are not in a position to collect for themselves.
We opened our doors in early November 2009 not knowing that we would be needed so urgently after the floods happened as a key part of the Cockermouth Flood Action Response. Our vision now is to make the Foodbank accessible to all those in need across the whole of Allerdale and Copeland.
None of this would happen without the incredible dedication of our team.
Find out who they are and what they do: