About
How foodbanks work
Providing emergency food to people in crisis.
Every day people in the Tavistock area go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.
Food is donated
Food is donated by supermarkets, churches, individuals, schools and more. Last year, we received over eight tonnes of food donations, all of which was weighed and labelled by our dedicated team of over twenty volunteers.
Food is sorted and stored
Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Over 20 people volunteer at the Tavistock Foodbank.
Professionals identify people in need
Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. If you need a voucher you can get one from: Citizens Advice Bureau, DATA (Debt Advice Tavistock), Devon Drug Service, Devon & Cornwall Police, Salvation Army, Tavistock Area Children’s Centre, TASS, West Devon Borough Council Housing, West Devon Mental Health Team, Tavistock Community Primary School, Devon & Cornwall Care Services, Devon Domestic Abuse Services, Devon & Cornwall Housing.
Clients receive food
Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.
We can be found in the basement of The United Reformed Church, Russell Street, Tavistock, PL19 8BD. To find us, walk down the ramp at the left side of the building. Turn right through the double doors and you will find yourself in the Lower Deck Cafe. At the back of the room, wearing green Foodbank clothing, you will find some of our volunteers.