About The Food Bank

The Food Bank was established in Milton Keynes in June 2004 as a direct response to an initiative started by the Trussell Trust in Salisbury, which has been operating a similar scheme there since the year 2000.

Mark Sherratt, the senior pastor of the Milton Keynes Christian Centre, was inspired to take up the challenge highlighted by the Indices of Deprivation for Milton Keynes. Talking to professional bodies locally, it became very apparent that an agency for the distribution of food was urgently required and steps were taken to commence this project in June 2004 with The Food Bank opening twice a week on a Monday & Thursday from the Christian Centre in Oldbrook Milton Keynes.

Initially The Food Bank was run entirely by volunteers, however in April 2008 a Development Grant from the Milton Keynes Community Foundation enabled the recruitment of a full time Project Manager on a three-year contract. Sue Wall joined The Food Bank in July 2008 as Project Manager and has been able to focus on expanding the service to meet the ever-growing need supported by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Since opening, The Food Bank has seen a steady growth in the number of local people being referred via a network of over 95 professional care referral agencies referral agencies including Social Services, MK Council, Age Concern, British Red Cross, Hospital, Probation Service, YMCA & various housing associations. All Schools, Churches and Doctors Surgeries in Milton Keynes can also act as referral agents.

In 2008 The Food Bank gave out 2390 food parcels, however in 2009 this number had increased by over 30% to 3140 parcels being issued to local families in need. Sadly the need continues to grow as can be seen on our Stats page

The Food bank relies entirely on donations of food and money from local Schools, Churches, Businesses, Organisations and individuals and every single item or penny makes a difference. I Want to Help

Food Bank Centres

 

The Food Bank has increased its availability to the community by working in partnership with other Churches making the service now available 6 days per week from 4 separate locations.

The Food Bank Centres issue food at appointed times to clients, offering a friendly smile, someone to chat to, light refreshments and access to brochures and help on other related issues such as counselling, debt advice, housing support etc.

To qualify for help, families or individuals need to be referred to The Food Bank by one of our many referral agents across the city. There include Health Visitors, Doctors Surgeries, Probation Service and Social Services etc.