It is Bath Foodbank’s 10-year anniversary!  Bath Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks in the UK and is one of the projects of Genesis Trust Bath.  We first opened in September 2011 at the Baptist Church Open House Centre in Manvers Street followed by distribution centres at Rose Cottage in Twerton, St Barnabas Church in Southdown and The Hub at Mulberry Park.  During Covid, we closed our centres to instead provide a delivery service, but plan to start re-opening some distribution centres again from this coming October. We look forward to again welcoming people with a cup of tea and a chat and to provide information to further signpost people to appropriate support.

Bath Foodbank was started by a group of people who saw the need in our city and over the years has been run by a committed team of volunteers, ensuring that we were always able to cope with the increased demand on our service.  More recently, the Foodbank has been run by two members of staff who continue to be greatly supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and the wider Genesis team.

Since first opening our doors, we have received and distributed 441 tonnes of food, all of which was donated from people in our local community, to approximately 37,000 people in Bath.  And because of the continued generosity of our community and the desire to support our community as best as possible, the Foodbank has over the last few summer holidays “filled the gap” of food provision for families during the school holidays.  Plus, over Christmas we were able to provide toy vouchers and Christmas food parcels for families in need.

David Purdon, an original member of the steering group and Chair of the Foodbank Management Committee, said,  “It is amazing to think that Bath Foodbank has been going for 10 years. When we started up in 2011 a lot of people questioned the need. Bath was such a prosperous city – why did we need a foodbank? In the succeeding years the case has unfortunately been proven. In those early days there was a lot of hard effort setting up the warehouse in shipping containers in Bathampton, establishing the distribution centre at Manvers Street and forging links with supermarkets, churches and schools. We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous effort from all the volunteers who rose to the challenge. I would like to wish Bath Foodbank all the best as you enter your second decade.”

Paul Solly, an original member of the steering group and the then CEO of The Genesis Trust who was part of the foodbank management committee, said, “It doesn’t seem possible that Bath Foodbank opened up 10 years ago, but it has been a great adventure from the very first meeting of a committed group of people interested in serving their community, to the first supermarket collection and onto 10 years providing food parcels to people.  It has been great to witness all the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the kind comments from those who have received food.”

We are entirely dependent on voluntary contributions of food and finances for the running of the Foodbank. We are generously supported by churches, schools, supermarkets, businesses, and individuals.  So we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to our wonderful community of supporters for all the ways that you’ve helped us over the years. Whether you donated food, money or volunteered your time we are truly amazed by your generosity.

Also, be on the lookout for ways you can support the Bath Foodbank in the coming weeks as we build up to the Harvest and Christmas campaigns!