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Food donation is quickly becoming a main staple of social aid services in the Welsh capital. These Cardiff food banks have had to make adjustments to schedules, add community partners and increase the number of distribution centres as they try to keep up with demand for assistance.

Each centre provides supplemental nutrition in the form of food parcels that may be picked up by Cardiff residents who are approved for aid. Parcels contain enough food to feed an average family of four for three days. A voucher from one of the partners is used to verify that the client has received advice from a professional. This voucher is redeemed for the food items that are donated by grocery stores, area businesses and neighbours living within the city.

Cardiff Foodbank is the main source of donated food distribution in Cardiff. It is a member of the National Foodbank Network as well as being a Trussell Trust partner. All aid recipients must obtain a voucher from one of the partner agencies to confirm their participation in one of the approved personal improvement services or advice sessions.

Distribution centres have been added to bring services closer to those residents most in need. Vouchers may be redeemed at any location, but the hours and days of operation vary by foodbank centre (FBC).

• The headquarters is located in the Cardiff Bay Business Centre on Titan Road. This location has the most hours posted for callers to get food assistance. Voucher holders may call ahead at 029 2048 4120 to confirm hours of each location prior to arrival.
• Woodville Christian Centre on Crwys Road is the site of the Cathays FBC. Enquiries are welcome at the primary centre on Titan Road, though the church can receive some calls at 029 2033 3456 if someone is seeking directions.
• City FBC is hosted by City Temple Cardiff on Cowbridge Road East. The church telephone is 029 2038 7741.
• Ely Baptist Church on Archer Road hosts the Ely FBC. The church telephone is 07789 888458.
• Llanedeyrn FBC is located in Maelfa Shopping Centre at the Churches Together Shop. Call 029 2054 9571 with enquiries about this location.
• Splot FBC was added at St. Saviour’s Church. It is near the corner of Splott Road and Carlisle Street. This is the fifth distribution centre opened by Cardiff Foodbank. Enquiries should be directed to headquarters at 029 2048 4120.

There are now dozens of partner agencies that provide the services needed to receive a voucher. Residents may call Cardiff Foodbank at 029 2048 4120 to request information on visiting a partner agency, though most clients learn about the service through referrals from Cardiff Council, Social Services, housing associations or Salvation Army.

This is one of the oldest food donation and distribution services in the UK. The initial location was opened in 2009 and demand keeps pushing new boundaries that lead to expansion. Initial success is attributed largely to Gweini, known as The Council for the Christian Voluntary Sector in Wales. This initiative is part of the Evangelical Alliance Charity, which encourages volunteering and sharing of resources by churches.

One reason for the dramatic expansion of Cardiff Foodbank is the state of the local economy. Cardiff has been named as the second most deprived local authority in Wales. A huge portion of its children (estimated at 78%) live in families that receive some sort of benefit. Adults may find it necessary to skip a meal to pay other living costs, but no child should go hungry.