M&S Heathfield Ayr

THAT offers a foodbank service from our premises in Buckland, Newton Abbot for the whole of Teignbridge District. We operate with 40 partner agencies who signpost people to us. On arrival, claimants are welcomed with tea and biscuits, and given a suitable, bespoke food pack with enough food to last for a minimum of fourteen days. The pack will take account of dietary requirements and allergies as well as personal preferences and cooking arrangements. We support families and individuals who struggle to make ends meet. Our claimants may be street homeless and require food that doesn't need cooking, or staying in a B&B with just a kettle, perhaps a microwave, through to full cooking facilities. As well as food, we offer male and female hygiene packs, sleeping bags, tents and home starter packs for those moving into housing. We will also top up fuel meter keys and cards. We work in partnership with local housing associations, the local Council housing department, the Salvation Army, CAB, schools, doctors and Jobcentre. In addition, agencies for domestic abuse victims, recovering addicts, rehabilitation programmes, community nurses, health visitors, schools, surgeries, etc. all refer people to us. There is no charge to clients for using our service. We now collect surplus fresh food from local shops and we buy in chilled and frozen foods. For information regarding our Food Hygiene Rating score, please see the following link: https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/683053/newton-abbot-and-teignbridge-food-bank We recently spoke to a journalist from the Moorlander about the work that we do and the impact that we have. See more here: https://www.themoorlander.co.uk/news/local-news/1972807/more-working-people-turning-to-newton-abbot-food-bank-as-winter-pressures-grow.html

Newton Primary is a school in an area where many individuals and families face daily challenges. We support families by providing food shopping list items, clothing (new and nearly new), kitchen utensils and household goods, bedding and energy top ups. We also support our families and those in the community by helping them access advice from various agencies eg income maximisation, smoking cessation, local charities and employability. Our shopping list is updated weekly on our school app and families ask for what they need. We have an open door once a week for bags and lunch, during this time members of the community come and get food, etc from our store.

The food pantry is committed to tackling food poverty and reducing waste in South Ayrshire. We have 3 food pantries in South Ayrshire and all of them strive to give their local community access to fresh, healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. We are backed by the South Ayrshire Food Network as well as the local authority to bridge the gap between foodbank reliance and commercial shops. Unlike a food bank, customers pay a small membership fee (which is used to purchase additional stock from local suppliers) and are able to shop for 10 items, giving those in need a choice. The shop is staffed by wonderful volunteers from the community with a range of backgrounds who gain incredible experience as well as the opportunity learn new skills with official certifications.