Eight years of compassion, community, and care
Bassetlaw Food Bank was founded by a group of local volunteers who saw a growing need for emergency food support in our community. Starting with just one distribution point and a handful of volunteers, we helped 87 families in our first year.
As word spread about our work, more volunteers joined us and local businesses began donating food. We opened two additional distribution points in Retford and Harworth, helping 324 families throughout the year.
The pandemic brought unprecedented demand for our services. Our volunteers worked tirelessly to adapt, implementing safe distribution methods and home deliveries for vulnerable families. We helped over 1,200 families during this difficult year.
As our operations grew, we registered as an official charity to better serve our community. This allowed us to apply for grants, accept Gift Aid donations, and expand our partnerships with local organisations.
We launched additional support services including benefit advice signposting and partnership with local Citizens Advice. Our team grew to 30 regular volunteers, and we helped 1,845 families.
Rising costs meant more families than ever needed our help. We launched emergency fundraising appeals and our first charity raffle to increase our capacity. With community support, we helped over 2,100 families.
We formed strong partnerships with schools, churches, and local businesses. Our volunteer team grew to 45 members, and we opened a fourth distribution point in Tuxford.
We secured our first long-term storage facility and invested in better food storage equipment. Our online raffle became a regular fundraiser, helping us provide consistent support to families in crisis.
Today, we're stronger than ever with 45 dedicated volunteers and four distribution points across Bassetlaw. This year alone, we've already helped over 2,400 families, providing not just food but dignity, respect, and hope.
Chair of TrusteesWhen we started in 2018, we never imagined we'd still be needed eight years later. While it's heartbreaking that food poverty persists in our community, I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together. Every family we help reminds us why this work matters.
We're powered by 45 dedicated volunteers who give their time to sort donations, pack parcels, and support families with compassion and dignity. Our board of trustees provides strategic oversight and governance.
We work closely with local authorities, schools, GP surgeries, and support organisations to ensure families get the help they need when they need it most.
We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We listen without judgment. We believe no one in our community should have to face hunger alone.