FoodBox, a community-led food support project based at St Peter’s Church, left a lasting impression on us during our recent visit. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were struck by the incredible effort, pride and companionship shown by this small army of volunteers every single week.
We were surprised but delighted to be welcomed straight into a celebratory ribbon-cutting moment, marking the completion of their newly fitted storage and packing area, funded through our recent £5,000 grant. Seeing the practical results of our funding, and the difference it will make to the team and the households they support, is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.
Who FoodBox help
FoodBox supports households experiencing food poverty. For some, this may be a short-term difficulty; others may also be managing additional challenges such as health needs, disability or social isolation. Referrals come from frontline services, including social workers, Citizens Advice, Christians Against Poverty and other charities, alongside self-referrals from those seeking help.
A functional space making a real difference
Previously, volunteers had to carry food across the church and sort donations wherever space could be found. This simple fit-out has transformed an empty room into an organised hub, allowing FoodBox to pack and store food safely and efficiently, streamlining their delivery of weekly parcels to local households.
What stands out about FoodBox is the way it meets this need with dignity, commitment and care. The project runs without overheads: St Peter’s Church provides the space, and volunteers kindly give their time and don’t even claim fuel expenses. With dedication and flexibility, volunteers collect end of day supermarket donations in the evenings, including Friday nights, ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste and reaches those who need it.
More than just new shelves
Standing in the new storage area, we could see how this practical upgrade helps strengthen the whole operation. It creates a safer, more efficient environment for volunteers and ensures FoodBox can continue efficiently supporting local families in their time of need.
Fancy joining their team?
FoodBox are continuing to look for new volunteers to join their friendly team. They are looking for people to help with:
- food collections (evenings),
- packing (morning or evening),
- delivery rounds (afternoon or evening),
- and administration support when available.
Just an hour or two a week or whatever time you can spare can make a real difference. It was clear from our visit that you would be joining a friendly and welcoming team who enjoy time spent working together for the benefit of their local community.
Find out more about the volunteering opportunity here: https://onechippenham.org.uk/volunteer-with-us-to-make-a-difference/
We left feeling proud to contribute to this project and encouraged by the thoughtful, unpaid effort being put into helping local families every week. A huge thank you to the whole team at Foodbox for the warm welcome and more importantly all that you do.
