Sainsbury's Hove Church Road Local

Each Friday we open our Food Bank in Portslade Town Hall. We are open from 12.00 -2.00 to those seeking help. We receive food from the Company "Fare Share " who collect surplus food from supermarkets and local companies .This food is handed out to individuals and families in the BN41 Post Code area who have been referred to us by professional agencies. Many of these people are living in poverty, they have mental health and medical issues and their accommodation is far from secure. We pay £10 per week for this delivery service - the food is free. We have been operating out of Portslade Town Hall for three years and the numbers of people being sent to us is rising. We have had as many as 105 people in one week. This puts a strain on our resources and we have to limit the amount of food we hand out. This is not a good situation as it causes distress and genuine panic among our clients. We are constantly looking for other sources of food. Some local Food Banks have given us generous donations of food and our local schools and churches help whenever they can. We are still finding it hard to supply enough protein, fresh fruit , vegetables, bread and milk. In order to ensure they never go away hungry we prepare and serve up to 80 meals each week to those who come to us to collect supplies. Much of this food is donated by a volunteer and is supplemented by a grant of £10 per week from the local healthy neighbour hood fund.We seldom have anything leftover. We have freezers and some cupboard space, so can store all types of food . Surplus fresh food is made into jam, chutney, soup, pasta sauce etc in order to utilize everything. We run workshops with local experts to encourage the clients to learn cookery skills, budgeting. They also have access to training courses and accommodation options. We are more just than a Food Bank to many people.

In the year beginning 1st April 2025, we continued to combat loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion in Brighton and Hove by providing a welcoming environment, nutritious meals, and opportunities for meaningful connections. We supported over 130 isolated older people and adults with learning disabilities, enhancing their health, well-being, and social lives. Our lunch clubs, which are at the heart of our charity, offered a place for friendship with the joy of shared meals made from surplus food. “It was a great lunch. The volunteers are such a great bunch of people. Love em all. This pensioners lunch is the best in the whole of the south coast.” Tuesday club guest Lunch club is like an extended family. We are committed to building an inclusive space where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can feel a sense of belonging. Guests and volunteers with disabilities and learning disabilities and cognitive and sensory impairments are equally involved. This year, 47 volunteers helped to prepare, serve and clear away over 6000 meals to lunch club guests made from over 8 tonnes of surplus food. We fundraise to cover the cost of the transport which is around £10,000 a year for 3 buses. We charge £7.50 for a three course lunch with transport on Tuesdays and £5 for a two course lunch on Thursdays. If guests are on a low income or unable to pay we do not charge.

The Villas Foodbank in Hove is a warm, friendly foodbank serving our local community. Our wonderful compassionate volunteers care for, listen to and welcome all who need our help. We would be very happy to recieve donations of non perishable food, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, dairy, toiletries, cleaning products and any other daily essentials.