Sid Valley Food Bank

Sid Valley Food Bank is a registered charitable incorporated organisation based in Sidmouth, East Devon, England, dedicated to supporting individuals and families who are facing financial hardship and struggling to meet their daily food needs. The charity operates under the registration number 1193364.

History and Background

The food bank was established in 2012 by local churches within the Sid Valley area to provide emergency food supplies during times of crisis. Although Sidmouth and its surrounding villages are generally prosperous, the founders recognised that some community members occasionally face food insecurity. In February 2021, the organisation formalised its status as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to better structure its activities and governance.

Mission and Activities

Sid Valley Food Bank’s principal mission is to alleviate hunger by distributing essential food provisions to those in need. It relies heavily on donations from individuals, local businesses, and supermarkets, as well as the efforts of over 50 dedicated volunteers who manage the day-to-day operations. The food bank uses both donated food items and cash donations to purchase fresh staples such as bread, milk, cheese, and vegetables to meet the dietary needs of its clients.

Food parcels are assembled into bags and either collected by recipients or delivered directly to them, ensuring accessibility for vulnerable individuals. The organisation maintains an up-to-date shopping list to guide donors on the most needed food items, responding dynamically to stock levels.

Support Network and Referrals

The food bank collaborates with various local agencies—including The Children’s Centre, East Devon District Council, Sid Valley Help, and Gateway—to provide wider support services beyond food assistance. A referral system is in place to ensure that food aid is directed to individuals and families who genuinely require support, with numerous local collection points for food donations including supermarkets such as Waitrose, Co-op, and Lidl.

Community Involvement

Sid Valley Food Bank depends on community engagement, including volunteer recruitment and donations of both food and strong shopping bags for packaging. It maintains a presence on social media platforms to update the public on current needs, volunteer opportunities, and to share stories and multimedia content related to its mission.

Sid Valley Food Bank continues to play a crucial role in the Sidmouth area, providing a safety net for those experiencing food poverty and working collaboratively with other organisations to address the broader challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the community[1][3][4].

[1] https://www.sidvalleyfoodbank.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5169838/charity-overview [3] https://www.sidvalleyfoodbank.org.uk/about-the-food-bank/ [4] https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/sid-valley-food-bank [5] https://www.foodbanks.co.uk/foodbank-listing/sid-valley-food-bank-primley-united-reformed-church/