UK Bill Help

Families that are struggling in the Canterbury district can turn to the food bank for help. The charity operates as a Christian based organisation and provides assistance in surrounding villages as well, including Herne Bay, Whitstable and other areas in Kent. The programmes around food and debts are also provided in partnership with St Dunstan’s Church, CAP, as well as All Saints Church.

The team at the centre will provide a free parcel of food to those clients that have a voucher. But they also offer other assistance in partnership with the local churches. The volunteers will befriend and offer practical support with everything from clothing to advice on debts to those who are rising to the challenge of existing poverty.

Clients of the locations often have a number of hardships they are facing. Many people in the Canterbury district have had a delay in benefits, including waiting on the new Universal Credit. Others have an unexpected illness or maybe bill they were given for emergency living needs. Some clients of the foodbank just live on a low income and have had reduced working hours. But anyone can seek help.

The food bank is also part of Christians Against Poverty, and they offer free debt advice and courses of money management to Canterbury families. It will give people the skills they need to budget. The aim is to help clients gain control of their finances and save money. The counselling will also help them prevent future debts.

As far as the Canterbury food bank, this is a Christian programme that will serve anyone in the area. There will be emergency food parcels, signposting, and other support for people that have a voucher and that are in a crisis. It relies on donations as well as volunteers. The team at the centre will collect the donations from the community, sort bags of groceries and pack food parcels for those in poverty.

Not only will a parcel by giving out, but those who drop in will also be given tea and refreshments. While it is not a full meal, and too can be used to help stop hunger.

Volunteers are key to the charity. Not only do they prepare the parcels of food to be passed out, but they also try to raise more donations from restaurants and stores in Canterbury. They are also key to signposting the person to other local agencies as well for their long term needs.

The team at the food bank are equipped to provide everything from free debt and legal advice to refer the person to help for mental health issues and more. There is a lot of experience on these and other challenges available among the team.

For a voucher, residents need to call their local front line care professional. This can be a nurse in Canterbury, doctor or social workers in Kent. They can provide the family on a low income with a voucher, which can then be used at the food bank for a free parcel of groceries that will last up to 3 days.

The volunteers and team want to provide a local centre of compassion and care. With the benefits system in Kent putting people into poverty, Social Services is not enough to fill the need of the low income. This is all available for those with a voucher, and of course they will be given emergency food supplies. The Canterbury Food Bank is located at PO Box 1072, Canterbury, Kent CT1 9JL.