Our Foodbank works through a voucher referral system. We understand how easy it is for anyone to fall into a crisis and not be able to afford to put food on the table.
If you find you need help from the Foodbank, then you will need to request a voucher from one of our referral agencies. We have over 400 of these agencies in North West Bristol. These include GP surgeries, Schools, Children’s Centres, Social Services, Mental Health Teams etc.
Where can I get a voucher?
The majority of our clients will be automatically referred to us by their social worker, school, GP or care agency. Please contact us so we can put you in touch with an agency that can help.
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Alternatively, if you are not already being supported by a care agency or advice service then the simplest and quickest way to obtain a referral to the Foodbank is to contact one of the following agencies
LOCAL CRISIS PREVENTION FUND -
0800 923 0101 / lcpf@bristol.gov.uk
OR
HELP FOR HARDSHIP (Citizen's Advice) -
0808 208 2138
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They will be able to talk to you about your situation and decide whether it is beneficial to refer you to the Foodbank. They will then ask for some of your personal details and send an e-referral voucher through to our office. This voucher will then be waiting for you on arrival at one of our Foodbank outlets in Avonmouth, Severn Beach, Lawrence Weston, Henbury or Hotwells.
I can't get to the Foodbank
If you feel you live too far from our Foodbank and can’t get to us to pick up food, then please contact us. It is likely that there is a different Foodbank closer to where you live.
However, if you are seriously ill or elderly speak to your support worker, they may be able to come and pick your food up for you.
We have a limited home delivery service in North West Bristol, but it is restricted to the seriously ill and the elderly. Home delivery will only be provided when requested by a registered care agency. It cannot be requested directly by a client.
If you are a referral agency who would like to register for our home delivery service, please see our home delivery section.
Although a food parcel will help with the immediate issue of hunger, it does not address the underlying cause of the crisis.
Our staff will chat to you and help you to seek appropriate advice and assistance for your situation i.e. welfare benefit delays/stoppages, debt, fuel poverty, illness, unemployment, relationship breakdown etc. If you already have access to a support agency or support worker please speak to them about your situation.
The Foodbank is only intended as a stop gap during an emergency, so if you have more than 3 vouchers in six months we will contact you to make an appointment with our Advice Workers. We want to make sure you are getting the appropriate help as quickly as possible to resolve your situation.
This also enables the Foodbank to help as many people as possible with our food donations.
If you are a referral agency and would like to become a registered voucher holder for our foodbank, please see our information for referral agencies to find out more.
