Norfolk food banks

When facing a financial emergency, food banks in the greater Norfolk area provide help to the needy and vulnerable. The assistance provided by the churches and charities can fill the gap as the individual waits on other government benefits to start up, and the food parcels provided can help prevent hunger in the community. They are under high demand in Norfolk, as the poverty rate is higher than 90% of other counties.

The aim is to support people facing a disaster or one off crisis. Volunteers, care-workers, restaurants in Norfolk County, and others partner with the foodbanks as well as soup kitchens in an effort to help the vulnerable and poor. Not only may a box of groceries with fruits, tinned meat, a hot drink, and more be passed out, but the staff from the charities will also signpost people to other local organisations for help, such as the Salvation Army in Pottergate or to council schemes. Many services are offered to the low income from the food banks, so they are a resource for the community.

The main centres to contact in Norfolk County and the city of Norwich are below. Low income families and those facing poverty can obtain a voucher from a professional care-worker, and then drop in at a food distribution site.

Charity food banks and soup kitchens

Wellspring Family Church runs the Mid Norfolk foodbank. It was created for needy residents in the Dereham area. The telephone number is 01362 850624, and people with a voucher from CAB or a social worker can call for an assessment and maybe a box of free groceries. The post of the church is 35 Neatherd Road, Dereham, NR19 2AE.

Herbie’s Foodbank is run by the Salvation Army. This drop in centre is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Not only may a parcel but provided to the vulnerable with no other options, but free meals including at Christmas, clothing, and referrals are offered too, including for the homeless. Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2SQ.

Another Salvation Army Centre is at Pottergate ARC in Norwich. This aims to feed the homeless. They have a food bank and soup kitchen, provide health assessments, vouchers to the clothing store, and shelter. The location is 28 Pottergate, and ring them at 01603 663496 for information. Anyone can drop in at the charity, and read more.

Not-for profits with multiple locations in Norfolk

The city of Norwich food bank has a post of Henderson Business Centre, 51 Ivy Road, Norwich, NR5 8BF, telephone 01603 251733. This will assist residents facing an emergency, that have no other resources, and have no source of food for their next meal. Many clients have faced a job loss or health care issue.

This location partners with Distribution Centres, the Norwich Consolidated Charities, the Community Foundation and professional care-workers, such as doctors and CAB staff, in the city. Individuals will be given a voucher for a local centre as well as be signposted to local charities if needed. The places to pick up a box of food, soup, biscuits and more are as follows.

• Mondays there is Eternity Christian Centre, Earlham Green Lane, as well as Witard Road Baptist Church, Witard Road.
• Tuesdays – Oak Grove Chapel, 70 Catton Grove Road and also drop in at St Stephen’s Church, Rampant Horse Street.
• Wednesdays – New Hope Christian Centre, 2 Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2HX.
• The Thursday food distribution centre is Mile Cross Methodist Church, Aylsham Road, Mile Cross, Norwich as well as the Central Baptist Church, Duke St.
• Friday – Gateway Vineyard Church, The Vineyard Centre, Nelson Street, Norwich.
• On weekends and Sunday, the Hinks Meadow Community Hall, Kingswood Avenue, Taverham passes out parcels in an emergency.

Great Yarmouth Foodbank has a few distribution centres in the region. Applicants need a voucher to get assistance.

• St Mary Magdalene (The Bridge) has a post of Magdalen Square, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 7BZ. The hours are Tuesday 11.30 AM to 2.30 PM only. Other services include housing, signposting for substance misusers, and counselling. Telephone – 01603 610256.
• Contact 2000 is a free food bank at Gorleston Baptist Church. This centre is open on Monday and Thursday. Clients can get free boxes of groceries, a hot drink, blankets, and other aid. Address is Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6LY.

Norfolk LAS Local Welfare – The government scheme is available in a crisis. The council may offer a voucher that can be used at a foodbank in Norfolk for an emergency parcel and it can help with other needs. All applicants need to be on a low income or benefits, and find how to apply for the Norfolk Local assistance scheme.

Trussell Trust distribution centres are located across Norfolk. These not-for-profits will give vulnerable people, such as the elderly and disabled, as well as the low income with an emergency box of food. It will contain enough groceries, such as soup, pudding, and meats, to mast up to three days. Anyone seeking help needs to have a voucher, and the main locations are as follows.

Wellspring Family Church is at 35 Neatherd Road in Dereham. The two numbers to ring are 07542106107 or people can dial 01362 850624.

The food bank for Thetford is located at Liberty Centre, 5 Kelvin Place. This site is also part of the Trussell Trust Network, and it will offer free foodboxes as well as other services, such as signposting.

The network continues to expand in the county, and more families on a low income as well as people with benefits are getting help from the Trussell Trust. Many of the applicants are struggling to keep up with paying their bills at the same time as their welfare benefits being cut, and the two other distribution centres for a free food parcel are at Diss Christian Community Church, Vinces Road, Diss, Norfolk and people can call 0845 269 1078. The last location in Norfolk is at King’s Lynn Baptist Church, Wisbech Road in Kings Lynne, telephone 07582558143.