Dorset food banks

An increasing number of foodbanks in Dorset County are assisting people that are facing a crisis. Any assistance from one of the not-for profits will be for short term needs to help feed a family and prevent hunger. Many of the charities also partner with the Dorset Council and other advice agencies on addressing the root cause of the hardship, so both free food and advice may be provided.

The main centres in the region are below. Most of the locations will require people from Dorset to have a voucher in order to get a bag or groceries or a parcel, but the soup kitchens will usually give a meal to anyone in need. Families should ring a foodbank to get the hours and information on the application process.

The Trussell Trust network also has distribution centres in the county, but independent food banks can also help. They tend to offer many services to the jobless and struggling. When it comes to hunger, individuals facing an emergency can usually get up to three days of assistance for their families, and the boxes of food can have everything from milk to baby nappies and also non-perishable goods.

Independent food banks in Dorset

Beaminster Children’s Centre is a location for families with a child under the age of 19. This food bank can even help babies with milk, nappies, and more. The address is 6 Prout Street, and the phone number is 01308 861030.

Methodist Church and Faithworks Wessex provide free emergency food to people in Blandford Forum. The charity may have parcels to families with a voucher, and social workers can also give referrals. The church also has volunteers that may serve soup and a hot meal to the poor. Address is The Close, Blandford Forum, DT11 7HA, telephone – 01258 456093.

St Marys Church provides meals from a soup kitchen to the homeless and people sleeping rough from the Cupboard. There is also a Foodbank at the church, and this can provide help to residents local to Bridport that are facing a crisis. The church address is 84 South Street, and phone is 07825 303 690.

The Old Chapel at St Joseph’s Catholic Church is another resource for the low income. A parcel of food with meats, fruits, milk, and more is available. Volunteers will also signpost the client to everything from emergency shelter to other support services. Address is 67 Purewell, Christchurch, BH23 1EH. Call the church at 07587 371 088.

Corfe Mullen residents can turn to the Community Foodbank which is located at St Nicholas Church. Vouchers are needed for this charity. This location is 30 Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3LE.

Dorchester Baptist Church address is on Bridport Road. Telephone – 07554 983 978.

Routes To Roots foodbank in Poole provides meals and parcels to the homeless and families in poverty. Many clients have had a reduction in benefits, and they turn to this charity for help. The main centre is at s at 5 Skinner Street. Ring the location at phone 01202 667880, or find more details on help from Routes to Roots.

The Salvation Army – Churches Together provides a number of schemes and services. They have food and meals, including at Christmas, for people facing poverty. The Christian charity will only help people as a last resort, and shelter or clothing is also provided. The address is 54 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NX. Ring them at 07759 230 313 for hours.

There are several other independent food banks in Dorset County. They are as follows.

• Leigh Park Community Centre, Gordon Road, Wimborne, BH21 2AP, 07766 395 944.
• Weymouth Baptist Church address is 18 The Esplanade, and the phone is 07531 167 465.
• St Michael’s on Church Street has a food distribution centre for families on a low income that are local to Lyme Regis. Call 01297 444570.
• Reformed Church, Longfleet Road, Poole, BH15 2HP, telephone 01202 669566.

Other options for free food parcels

Bournemouth residents can turn to the food banks and charities in the greater Dorset County area, or they can also apply for a voucher from the welfare fund. The council aims to provide the vulnerable that are facing a crisis various forms of support, whether that is advice or a free bag of groceries or other food items. Read Bournemouth Local Welfare Assistance Fund.

Dorset County – The council operates the local welfare scheme. A combination of grants and vouchers are used for everything from food to clothing and furniture. Households on a low income can also get referrals or signposting to both govenrment and charities in the region for a meal or get a listing of all the food banks in the county, and find more details on Dorset Emergency Local Assistance scheme.

Churches and not-for-profits in Dorset are part of Trussell Trust. The main centres are below. People with a voucher from a social worker or CAB can drop in at a centre for a few days of free food, soups, rice, and more. Volunteers also signpost the client to other programmes, help with benefit applications, and provide other support.

• Forest Corner Farm, Hangersley, Ringwood, Hants, BH24 3JW, call 01425 600134.
• The Old Library, 6 Station Road, Gillingham, SP8 4PY. The telephone number for this food bank is 07895 148 094.
• St Andrew’s Church Centre is at Millhams Road, Kinson, Bournemouth, BH10 7LN. Telephone – 0120257 0010.