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Residents with a voucher can turn to a food bank in Durham for assistance. Hundreds of families from the county use these centres on a monthly basis, and the number of people turning to them continues to increase. Too many people in Durham have been impacted by welfare reductions and many are facing poverty, and the free food parcels they are receiving from these not-for-profit locations is allowing their income to be used for paying other bills or housing needs.

The foodbanks will only help people with a voucher, and the places to get one from are listed below. Volunteers work at many of the centers, and they collect food and grocery items from donations, restaurants, and fund raisers. The goods are then sorted and packed into a parcel and given to a low income family. Based on the availability of items, clients will be given three to seven days of emergency food, and it may be soup, caned fruits, tea, milk, and an assortment of non-perishable items.

The places to get a voucher from are as follows. Residents can drop in at the Jobcentre Plus centre in Durham, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), One Point or Sure Start, or of course Council Social Care and Health Services. Staff at these locations can help the client access what they need.

The hours of each location will vary, and some are only open on certain days of the week. The Durham Council can provide more information, or call a food bank before dropping in.

Government schemes for free food

Darlington Borough – The council operates a welfare scheme. This can provide support such as vouchers to a food bank, clothing, and signposting. The scheme will not offer cash to a resident, but rather practical support items, such as a box of canned food, can be provided in an emergency from the crisis support scheme in Darlington.

Another option is the Durham County Council. They provide advice to the low income, vulnerable and homeless. Individuals with a local connection can learn about benefits, how to apply for government or not-for-profit food aid, and more. They also run the welfare scheme for the low income facing a crisis, which provides vouchers for a free parcel, and learn more on Durham welfare services.

Stockton – on – Tees – The local welfare scheme, called Back on Track, will offer everything from a parcel of food to signposting and financial aid. If eligible, a voucher may also be given to a local food bank in County Durham or one that is located in the city. Find other information and read more Stockton – on – Tees Back on Track welfare scheme.

Charity foodbanks in County Durham

The northeast area of the county is covered by Chester-le-Street. The address is the Parish Centre, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham DH3 3QB. This is a Trussell Trust affiliated charity foodbank and it assist dozens of people per month. Telephone 0191 5671367.

CDFHS is a charity that provides free food and other aid as well. They also offer white goods, computers to people who need one for a job, and a furniture scheme.  Much of the food and furniture is also part of their White Goods scheme, and all these programmes can help families on a low income. More on CDFHS assistance in Durham.

Free items, including groceries, are from the Church food bank in Consett. The charity helps the poor, less fortunate, homeless and others in Durham. There is a warehousing for free goods, including kitchen and cooking items. The foodbank may have fruits, tea, tinned items, and Christmas ingredients too. More on Church in Consett food bank.

 

Durham Vineyard – They run a foodbank at the Brandon Community Centre / Miners Welfare. It is only open on Wednesdays at 42 Salisbury Road. There is a meal for the vulnerable and homeless as well as emergency boxes of food for families. Phone is 0191 3038242.

Individuals with a disability or mental health illness can try Mind. They provide an info line that can refer clients to vouchers and other challenges, such as where to get food or groceries from. Staff can also give information on medications, clothing, and other goods. The telephone is 0300 123 3393.

Durham Christian Partnership is located at 42 Salisbury Road, Durham, DH1 5QT. Clients with a voucher can get a free meal as well as a foodbox. It will have what was collected by volunteers from supermarkets and other collection points in Durham, but it may be tinned meats, fruits, and other healthy items.

At this location, volunteers will also signpost eligible applicants to local charity programmes for other needs. The churches that are part of the partnership are also a source of information on shelters and government benefits. Call 0191 303 7559, or read more free food from Christian Partnership.

North Road Methodist Church will not discriminate, and they offer canned non-perishable food, clothing, white goods, and other items to those facing poverty. They may have furniture here for the homeless moving into a new accommodation. Address is 28 N Rd, Durham, DH1 4SG. Call 191 384 7950.

There are several other places that are open limited hours, and some of these are part of Trussell Trust. The address are below, and call the council for referrals or a voucher to them.

St Alban’s Church, Trimdon Grange, TS29 6HB – The site is only open on Wednesday and Friday from 2pm – 4pm.
Evangel Church, Durham Rd Chester-le-Street, DH3 3JL, call 0191 303 7559 for hours.
St Clare’s Church address is Saint Cuthbert’s Way, Newton Aycliffe. This site is only open Wednesday and Friday too.
The Tommy Armstrong Centre, Clifford Road, Stanley, DH9 0XG.
St Helen Christian Fellowship, Mount Stewart Street, Dawdon, SR7 7NF. The foodbank is open on Mondays.
Salvation Army of Durham is at Queen St, Crook, DL15 8QQ. The hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm.
Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, Butterwick Rd, Fishburn. The hours are on Thursday 2pm – 4pm.