Foodbanks | Risk Management

Helping you run a successful foodbank

03 February 2021

With so many people in need, a foodbank is a great way to help your local community.

How do foodbanks work?

Foodbanks exist to help people in short-term financial crisis by providing nutritionally-balanced parcels of tinned and dried food, usually enough to provide meals for three days. Most foodbanks work with care professionals to identify those who might need help and then provide them with a foodbank voucher they can exchange for food. The food is acquired by donation or collection and volunteers check and pack it into boxes.

Churches operating foodbanks

Many churches have taken the lead by setting up foodbanks or joining with other churches in the community to do so. We are receiving an increasing number of enquiries about the insurance implications of setting up a foodbank and are keen to support churches who want to offer this service to people in their community. If you are planning to operate a foodbank please call us for advice.

You can also find information and support from the Trussell Trust.

Church risk assessments

You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.

Getting your church ready for Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but with the special events and services, extra visitors and festive decorations in your church, it can mean a little extra planning in order to keep everyone safe.

Providing warm spaces

In response to the fuel crisis, many churches from all faiths are opening their buildings to provide a warm space to people experiencing fuel poverty.