Bracknell Foodbank 2024: A Year of Progress, Partnership and Provision

It’s hard to believe it’s been exactly a year since we held our very first referral agency meeting for Bracknell Foodbank. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday we welcomed our guests, nervously hoping our vision would resonate. And wow, what a remarkable year it’s been since then.

With the invaluable support of Alan, our brilliant referrals coordinator, we’ve not only strengthened key relationships with the people who interact with our clients first, but we’ve also been able to share our vision more clearly with the wider community. And what a difference that’s made.

Bringing referral agencies into our space, showing them what we do and hearing from them directly, has been incredibly rewarding. These meetings have given us the opportunity to build stronger, more meaningful connections, creating a shared sense of mission and understanding. So much so, we’ve decided to make it a regular thing—once every quarter. And let’s just say, it’s quickly become one of our favourite dates in the calendar.

2024 in Review - What the Numbers Tell Us

Let’s kick things off with a few stats from our 2024 report—because they really help tell the story of the year.

• We fulfilled 2,658 vouchers this year.

• That means 6,172 people received food through Bracknell Foodbank—3,979 adults and 2,193 children.

• A whopping 72.5 tonnes of donations came in (some of that non-food), and we gave out 44 tonnes in food parcels, plus an extra 20 tonnes in additional items.

• We even managed to donate 2 tonnes of stock to other local charities, which feels like a real community win. We love working alongside partner charities!

What’s really exciting is the shift in the pattern of our visitors. Thanks to the growing network of agencies, strengthened relationships and of course, our partnership with Citizens Advice East Berkshire providing advice & signposting, we’re seeing fewer repeat visits and more first-time users. That might sound like a bad thing—but actually, it shows we’re helping people get the support they need more effectively, not just putting a plaster on the problem. This is progress!

Our Referral Heroes

We couldn’t do what we do without our network of referral agencies. These are the people who meet clients at some of their lowest moments and connect them to us.

This year, our top referrers were:

• Housing & Welfare Services (BFBC) – 878 referrals

• Early Help Services – 167

• Citizens Advice – 155

• Public Health Social Prescribing – 146

• New Hope – 127

• Job Centre Plus – 123

• Rough Sleeper Initiative – 121

...the list goes on but each referral is a lifeline, and each agency a partner in providing change and hope.

Why People Came to Us in 2024

The reasons people come to Foodbank are many and complex. Here are some of the key causes:

• Rising costs of essentials – 1,078 vouchers

• Priority debt – 417

• Benefit delays – 199

• Cost of dependents increasing – 197

• Ongoing health issues – 475

But there’s a real variety too—everything from domestic abuse to immigration issues, relationship breakdowns, and mental health crises. Every story is unique. Every person matters.

A Shout-Out to Our Donors

Huge thanks to our top donors for 2024:

• Tesco Bracknell North

• Sainsbury’s Bagshot Road

• Waitrose Bracknell

• Kerith Church

We collected donations nine times a week from local supermarkets, and your generosity—whether you’re an individual dropping off a tin or a business, school or other organisation doing a collection—is what makes this all possible.

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Engine Room

Now, let’s talk about something we probably don’t shout about enough… our amazing Store Team—the real engine room of Foodbank.

While most people know our front-of-house volunteers who greet clients, pack bags, or sit and chat over a cuppa, there’s a whole group of heroes working tirelessly in the background to keep the whole operation running smoothly. And frankly, we’d be lost without them.

We’ve got four dedicated store teams, working during opening hours and on Monday mornings to receive supermarket deliveries and get everything prepped for the week ahead. That early Monday morning shift? That’s not for the faint-hearted! Yet week after week, these legends show up with a smile and an incredible sense of teamwork.

Their commitment means that when the front doors open, we’re ready. The shelves are stocked, the crates are labelled, and the pre-packed bags are ready to go. Their contribution might not always be visible, but it’s absolutely vital.

Stock Control: The Art and Science

Here’s where it gets a bit nerdy (but stay with me—it’s actually pretty cool). Martin P., one of our long-standing team members, explains that we actively manage 25 different essential items. We’ve got a pretty slick system, using a bespoke spreadsheet (designed by one of our very own volunteers, no less!) and a trusty database to keep tabs on what’s in and what’s running low.

We use the BanktheFood app—which we update three to four times a week—to let our supporters know exactly what we need. This helps us avoid surpluses of things like pasta and beans (we love them, but there are only so many tins one family can use!) and instead focus on the items we’re short of.

If you’re not yet using the app we’d encourage you to give it a go — it is our most effective tool for managing and balancing our stock items.

The Golden 25: What’s Always on the List?

Here’s the core list we manage. Sixteen of these go directly into the pre-made food packs, while the other nine are part of our Help Yourself section.

For toiletries like Shower Gel vs. Shampoo and Washing Up Liquid vs. Toilet Rolls, we’ve had to introduce an either/or policy. These items are super popular, and we’d need to request them weekly if we let everyone take both! While not required under Trussell Trust guidelines, we choose to provide them because dignity matters—and no one should have to choose between food and feeling clean.

We also distribute other non-managed non-food essentials like soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, nappies, and laundry detergent, although we can't guarantee they'll always be in stock.

And let’s not forget Alison J., who does an outstanding job organising our fresh food purchases and deliveries. Again, not a Trussell requirement, but we believe an important part of providing our clients with additional items to make meals go further and offer a nutritious and balanced diet.

Juggling Crates and Community Support

On average, our teams handle 130 crates a week—that’s 1.5 tonnes of stock. We typically hold two weeks’ worth of supplies, but that can flex between four days and four weeks, depending on donations.

We’ve got storage at Bracknell for around three weeks' worth of stock. When we go over that, we move the excess to an off-site facility. We’re also proud to regularly share stock with other local foodbanks—again, that community spirit coming through strong.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on this past year, we're filled with gratitude. Gratitude for our volunteers, our agencies, our donors, and most of all, the clients who trust us during what is often a very difficult time in their lives.

We’re proud of the shift we've seen—not just in the numbers, but in the quality of care and support we're able to offer. It's not about handouts; it’s about dignity, compassion, and real, meaningful help.

So, here’s to another year of partnership, perseverance, and purpose. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

AND…if you happen to be around Kerith Bracknell, feel free to pop in and say hello and give our teams a big high five - they’ve more than earned it!

Sarah Walker - Social Justice Lead