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In order to use a Hampshire food bank, the client needs to have a referral. The centres will provide individuals and families a few days worth of groceries and food, and they can assist people facing an emergency or that have had a reduction in their benefits. Most of the locations are run by charities and not-for-profit organisations and also rely on volunteers.

Not only can a person get a parcel of food with items such as tinned meats or soup, but many of the Hampshire sites also serve a free hot meal, such as New Forest Basics as well as St Christopher’s Church. The locations support the homeless and families facing poverty in Hampshire, with a focus on the most vulnerable, such as elderly and children.

The main centres in Hampshire are below. They will require a voucher to use their services. Anyone that needs more information on who to contact for this can call a centre and a volunteer at a food bank will provide this information.

Find assisitance for food from not-for-profits

The Basics Bank at Oasis Centre serves needy and individuals on a low income in Eastleigh. The not-for-profit will only provide short term food, and this can include tinned meats, fruits, vegetables, or a box of free food. They do have special items for the elderly and can meet dietary requirements.

Volunteers from the charity partner with agencies such as Sainsbury to collect and distribute the boxes to the low income. They also offer signposting and will serve a hot meal to the needy and homeless. The address of the Oasis Centre is at Wells Place, Eastleigh, SO50 5PP. Ring at 07563 609994 for hours, or find other help from the Eastleigh Basics Bank.

Two Hampshire food banks that are part of the Trussell Trust include Alton Food Bank at 9 Cross & Pillory Lane as well as Andover Food Bank, which has an address of Church of St John the Baptist. Both of these centres have volunteers that collect items from local stores and restaurants as well as fund raisers. They then repackage the items into parcels and pass them out for free to the needy and low income. Hundreds of families receive free, emergency food from these Trussell Trust affiliated locations each month.

Hampshire County council can provide assistance with food. Using the welfare scheme, there is support for the low income and vulnerable in all boroughs and districts in the county. As part of this programme, the resident will be given a free voucher to use for a parcel of groceries and items at a local food bank, and staff from the council or its partners will also provide information and other advice to clients. More on the Hampshire Local Welfare Assistance.

Ringwood foodbank – The location is open on Monday and Wednesday, and ring them at 07501 598 800. Residents with a referral can receive free produce, meals, and a box of food in an emergency. The centre also provides referrals to other charities.

Portsmouth food vouchers – The local welfare scheme is for the vulnerable and families facing an emergency. The council, using government funds, may offer referrals or a vouchers that can be used at a local food bank, including those listed here. So the welfare scheme can help feed families for a few days, if they have no other options available to them for receiving food in a crisis. More on the Portsmouth local welfare scheme.

Church and charity agencies in Hampshire

Hampshire churches created the New Forest Basics Food Bank, and the location provides short term help and referrals to permanent solutions can be found. For people that have a voucher from a partner agency, as follows, the church will provide them with a parcel of food. The charity works with Hampshire job centres, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, hostels, and social workers in an effort to help feed the vulnerable and people facing poverty. Drivers will also deliver meals to the elderly, and Basics Bank is located at Lymington United Reformed Church, High Street, Lymington. Or for more information, find more New Forest Basics Bank assistance.

Churches Together will also have free household items in Hampshire County. This can include pots, pans, utensils, and other items to help people prepare food and meals. Local centres may have also hygiene and personal goods for those impacted by a job redundancy or waiting on benefits. Donations from local charities are provided to the disadvantaged, and call 1590 610008 for more information.

Southampton City Mission is a faith based charity. The food bank at this location can provide up to 5 days of assistance to the low income. All applicants need to have a voucher though, or if they do not, the mission will not help them. The food parcel can have fresh veggies, fruits, as well as tinned items and groceries. Many other services are also provided, ranging from free clothes to referrals to agencies in Hampshire County, and find more details on Southampton City Mission help for low income.

St Christopher’s Church will help people with a voucher. The charity will provide three days of emergency food to the needy, and their foodbank is at 55 Cove Road, Cove Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0EX. The centre is only open two days per week and can be called at 07954105279.

A Christian charity is Hampshire Life Church Centre. The homeless and vulnerable can get a free hot meal, including on Christmas. The charity also has emergency boxes of food with fruits, soups, pudding, and other items. They help people that have had a reduction in their benefits, and the church also has temporary accommodations on site as well as information on housing schemes. The centre is at Elms Road.

Vine Day Centre is a charity that offers various forms of practical support and counselling to the low income, including free food. The centre on site also has a soup kitchen for the homeless and people in poverty in Hampshire. While a meal or a box of food being passed out, clients can learn about job programmes and other services. Read Vine Day Centre assistance programmes.