Need a food parcel? Here’s how it works
Nobody knows when a financial crisis will impact their household, but Northampton Food Bank is there to offer support.
Food aid is not a long term solution, but a helping hand when things are difficult. Northampton Food Bank can be accessed in various locations across the town, once a referral has been made.
In most settings there will be a volunteer team available to offer support, signposting or further help if needed.
Facing a financial crisis and need a food parcel?
STEP ONE
Talk to a Referral Agency about your situation
Northampton Food Bank hosts a network of Food Bank Points across the town over six days of the week. A referral is necessary, and over 200 agencies are registered to refer, including schools, health visitors, doctors surgeries, mental health worker and many more. If you need a referral but don’t have regular contact with any of these services, Citizen’s Advice operates as an accessible Referral Agency.
STEP TWO
If eligible, receive a referral reference number
The food/essentials offered are for those in short-term crisis and Referral Agencies make their assessment based on the eligibility criteria. As this is a crisis support system, there is a limit to the number of referrals accepted within a year, but Re:store will always work with our partner agencies to address ongoing needs.
The referral process is essential to offer the best support at early stages to the individual and to create a dignified welcoming space when collecting the food parcel. Referral Agencies may request you to make a booking or signpost you to another agency if there is no-one available to make the assessment at that time.
STEP THREE
Collect a food parcel with valid referral within 7 days
Once you have a valid referral code, make your way to a Northampton Food Bank Point to collect your personalised parcel.
You’ll need 1 form of ID (photo card if possible) to collect.
The referral expires after 7 days, so if you don’t get there in time or need another parcel in future you will need a new referral.
Watch this video for an idea of what to expect when you visit us after you’ve received a referral code.
Referral Agencies
Become a Referral Agency - If you are a professional that would be well placed to be a Referral Agency, please contact admin@restorenorthampton.org.uk to find out more. Direct requests for food or support via this email will not be accepted.
Donations
Northampton Food Bank relies on weekly donations of food, toiletries and household items from the generous public of our town. Things we regularly need include: tinned meat balls, tinned hot dogs, tinned fruit, shower gel, shampoo, UHT milk, small jars of coffee, non-bio washing detergent. If you have a donation you would like to drop off please contact us to arrange this. We cannot accept donations without the prior agreement of a time and day for you to bring them.
There is so much more that goes on at Re:store - especially our crisis provision for families. Would you be able to donate new or as new baby/children’s items? See the Growbaby Page for what would be most use to enable this wide range of support to happen. Thanks for keeping on championing our town!
Don’t forget one of the most useful ways to support Northampton Food Bank is through financial support (it helps us buy all the stuff that other funders might miss, but that is absolutely necessary)! You can fundraise or support this project specifically (just let us know), and proceeds will be shared between Northampton Food Bank Partners as needs arise.
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