Berkshire food banks

Berkshire families can turn to a food bank for help. There are several locations across the region. Depending on which district a family is local too, there may be charity in the eastern or western part of the county that is closer to where they live. Note that some of the foodbanks will require that the person have a referral from a care worker or government agency in order to apply.

The assistance provided by each distribution centre will vary. Some of the sites, such as the Woodley Food Store (which is run by churches) will provide groceries at a low cost to the family. Others, namely the Trussell Trust locations, will pass out free parcels of food that can contain enough items for up to three days. The hours of the sites will also change by the day and week. There are centres in Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Reading,  West Berkshire, Windsor, Slough and Maidenhead in Berkshire.

Every one of the charities operates by donations as well. They can always use more groceries so they can assist families that are in genuine need. What is needed includes tinned meat, fresh fruits, milk, soup, tea, and more. Anything that someone can contribute would be used to help feed the low income.

The Trussell Trust food bank has a main office at Broadway House, 4-8 The Broadway, Northbrook Street Newbury, Berks. The phone number is 01635 760540. This location will not pass out parcels of food, but other services may be offered.

If a family has voucher, they should stop in at one of the locations below. These are all part of the Berkshire Trussell Trust network and this is where the emergency food is provided from.

• Southern Cooperative, Newbury, Pound Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6AE.
• The Trussell Trust Newbury site is at Salvation Army Hall, Northcroft Lane, Newbury RG14 1BU.

There are two foodbanks for people that are local to the Lambourn Valley. Volunteers will provide a box of groceries. They also signpost families to other services.

• Sacred Heart Church Hall is located at Baydon Road, Lambourn, RG17 8NU, and it is open on Monday.
• Hungerford Methodist Church is open on Wednesday. The post is Bridge Street, Hungerford RG17 0EH
• Thatcham Baptist Church has a post of Wheelers Green Way, Thatcham RG19 4YF. This free food bank is open on Monday and Thursday.

Community Soup Kitchen and the Salvation Army of West Reading cover Berkshire too. The meals are served on Thursdays only. Phone – 11898 74260.

Faith Christian Group runs an assistance programme called ReadiFood. They pass out food in an emergency to people with a referrals. The food bank is at 79 Silver Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2SU. Referrals are needed from a Job Centre or other charity in Burghfield, Woodley, or Peppard. Phone – 0118 9872672.

Loose Ends is a charity that serves free hot meals five days per week. The location is at Newbury Church. The aim is to ensure the vulnerable have some form of food for their family. At this site, volunteers will also refer the client to other assistance. Find more information on services from Loose Ends.

Green Space is available at Launchpad, and this will allow the Reading community to grow their own fresh food. It is used for fruits, veggies, and other perishable items. The organisation has an aim of preventing hunger in the city, and they also partner with food banks and soup kitchens on this task. Read more on Lauchpad assistance programmes.

Open Kitchen serves low cost, hot meals from the soup kitchen. There is also a box of groceries passed out from the foodbanbk. A family of four people who can’t afford to buy items on their own will be given enough groceries to last up to 3 days, and this is in addition to a meal. The services are for individuals in Maidenhead area of Berkshire. Telephone for more information is 01628 264123.

Reading Council support may be provided from local welfare. The authorities may issue vouchers for using at local food banks. This form of assistance is combined with other help as well, ranging from advice on housing to where to turn to for free meals. Find the details on Reading welfare support scheme.

West Berkshire Council Social Services can provide a voucher to one of the food banks listed here. This is the main government office for the county. The authorities will signpost the client to everything from housing benefits to food and income support programmes. The post is West Street House, West Street, Newbury, RG14 1BD.

Woodley Food Store was created by six churches. The phone number is 0118 969 9956. The team at the centre collect surplus items from grocery stores and restaurants in Berkshire. There may be perishable food and canned items. Volunteers then package the goods and provide a box to the vulnerable that are in a crisis.