We are open from 10.00 to 12.00 on Thursdays. This is when our families collect their food from us once they have been referred by an accredited referral agency. Principally we use Citizens Advice and Community Links. Citizens Advice are located in the Ockment Centre. If you need their help be sure to book an appointment before going to avoid disappointment as they are very busy.
Community Links, who have just moved office, have a member of their team working with us on Thursday morning. If you need a referral they may be able to help not only in obtaining a referral but with a whole host of further support. So, if you are in need come in for a chat. If you cannot make Thursday and you need a referral then Community Links can also be found at their weekly Mental Health Hub from 10.00 to 1.00 every Monday in the Charter Hall in Okehampton.
In an emergency, a food parcel can be collected from the Ockment Centre between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Ladies at the Ockment Centre have also very kindly agreed to accept donations of food on our behalf when we are closed.
While collecting donations today, we were asked about our connection with the Community Kitchen. The lady in question honestly believed we had already agreed to an amalgamation, this is not the case.
To be clear, the Okehampton Food Bank remains an independent organisation that is not associated with the Community Kitchen.
The Okehampton Food Bank’s primary mission is to …‘alleviate food insecurity and enhance the well-being of the community’s most vulnerable residents.’
‘To address food insecurity, the food bank provides food and essential household items to local people facing demonstrable challenges such as low income, benefit delays, homelessness, disability, loss of income, rising costs of living, and short-term needs for refugees.’
‘The food bank ensures that the families it serves receive a healthy, nutritionally balanced supply of food, including fresh produce, eggs, and dairy. Beyond food distribution, the organisation offers supplementary services to help address widespread poverty in the community by connecting people to other local support agencies.’
‘By meeting nutritional needs through food aid, the food bank frees up recipients’ limited resources for other essential expenses. Overall, the food bank’s holistic approach aims to not just provide temporary relief but to empower vulnerable community members and address the root causes of food insecurity.’
‘Beyond food distribution, the organisation offers supplementary services to help address widespread poverty by connecting people to other local support agencies. This universal approach aims not just to provide temporary relief, but to empower vulnerable community members and address the root causes of food insecurity.’
We are deeply grateful to all Waitrose customers for their steadfast support of the Okehampton Food Bank. They have continued to provide staple necessities and gone the extra mile to ensure those struggling have access to special Christmas items as well. However, the food we distribute is not accessible to just anyone. All applicants must be referred to us by an external organisation such as Citizens Advice, Community Links, social services, DCC, WDBC, NHS etc.
The Okehampton Food Bank, unlike other business organisations in Okehampton, do not undertake self-referrals.
In summary, the Okehampton Food Bank remains dedicated to its founding purpose of supporting families in need, bolstered by the generous support of the community, including our valued Waitrose customers and the continued assistance by the Waitrose Partners.
As we go about our daily work for the Okehampton Food Bank it has become more and more apparent that there is still some confusion as to our new location. This confusion perhaps shows that our communication has not been as effective as we had hoped. Hence this message.
The Okehampton Food Bank, founded in 2008, operated out of the Baptist Church and a church-owned shop until this July. Since then, the food bank has continued its work from the Ockment Community Centre in Okehampton’s North Street – the hub of the local community.
The Okehampton Foodbank offers a warm, caring welcome and support to anyone in need. We should not be confused with the Okehampton Community Kitchen, a different organisation that is not affiliated with us.
Kind Words from the Trussell Trust.
The Trussell Trust, a leading food bank charity, recently acknowledged ‘the commitment and care,’ shown by all the volunteers at The Okehampton Food Bank and that we are, ‘ offering a food bank service with a supportive referral structure, and there is evidence that this is accessible to the community. We also ‘have approaches that enhance dignity for the local community in need.’
We are open from 10.00 to 12.00 on Thursdays. Accredited referral agencies connect families with our food assistance program. Once families receive a referral, they can come collect food from us. Principally we use Citizens Advice and Community Links. Citizens Advice are located in the Ockment Centre. If you need their help be sure to book an appointment before going to avoid disappointment as they are swamped at the moment.
The Okehampton Food Bank demonstrated true community spirit this week, as they opened their doors on Thursday despite the challenging winter weather conditions.
Although the town was blanketed in a heavy layer of snow, Malcolm, a dedicated volunteer at the food bank, was adamant not to let the inclement weather deter them from fulfilling their mission to support local families in need.
Julie from the Ockment Community Centre, also trudged through heavy snow to ensure the food bank could access its vital supply of resources stored onsite.
Thanks to these efforts struggling households in Okehampton were able to receive the nourishing food and essential supplies they rely on, a true testament to the power of community in action.
No problems parking ay Lidl!
Even in the face of adversity posed by the unexpected snowstorm, the Okehampton Food Bank working with The Ockment Community Centre rose to the occasion, braving the elements to deliver hope and sustenance to those who needed it most, underlining the profound impact that selfless community service can have, especially during the most challenging of times.
The term “food insecurity” is often used in the press and online, but what does it mean? To determine if a household requires emergency food assistance, they are considered food insecure and financially strained if their available resources fall more than 25% below the poverty threshold defined by the Social Metrics Commission.
This poverty line is calculated based on a family’s total financial means, including their income, housing costs, savings, and other essential expenses like childcare and debt payments. By accounting for these comprehensive factors, the poverty threshold accurately reflects the actual financial resources people have to cover their basic living costs. In practice, when determining who is in poverty, the Commission’s approach is to set a poverty line specific to the needs of each family. This means that each family’s available resources can be compared directly with their poverty line to determine whether they are in poverty.
The poverty line varies based on household size. For example, the threshold for a single person would differ from that of a couple or a couple with two children.
The poverty lines in 2021/22 show that a single childless person with less than £177 a week in available income would be considered to be in poverty. For a childless couple, the poverty threshold is £305 a week, while for a couple with two children, the threshold increases to £494 a week. Some groups across society are bearing the burden more than most.
Over half (53%) of those experiencing hunger, hardship and food insecurity live in households with a disabled family member. One-third (32%) of single-parent families face food insecurity and financial strain. Children under 5 years old have the highest risk of hunger and hardship at 24% compared to other age groups.
The Trussell Trust report highlights the urgent need for a new metric to understand the issue of emergency food assistance, which they have termed “hunger and hardship.” This measure not only accounts for those currently relying on food banks but also identifies individuals, who are likely to be at high risk of becoming dependent on them in the future. A crucial strategy for reducing this reliance is to enhance people’s financial resources, enabling them to withstand unexpected challenges like job loss or sudden expenses without turning to food banks.
Their data shows that food insecurity currently affects 9.3 million people in the UK, including 6.3 million adults and 3 million children. This means that one in seven individuals and one in five children are experiencing food deprivation. Alarmingly, the levels of food insecurity have risen by over a third compared to two decades ago.
To determine the need for emergency food assistance, a household is considered food insecure and financially strained if its available resources fall more than 25% below the poverty threshold defined by the Social Metrics Commission. This poverty line is calculated based on a family’s total financial means, including their income, housing costs, savings, and other essential expenses such as childcare and debt repayments. By accounting for these comprehensive factors, the poverty threshold accurately reflects the actual financial resources people have to cover their basic living costs.
Using national statistics this means there are approximately 650 people in Okehampton affected by hardship.
Trussell, in collaboration with WPI Economics and Humankind Research, has initiated an innovative project that investigates the full extent of the UK’s emergency food requirements, the societal implications, and the potential effects of various solutions. This first report aims to provide solid evidence to support meaningful initiatives in addressing hunger and hardship across the country, working towards a future where food banks are no longer necessary.
A subsequent report is set to be released in Spring 2025, which will explore in greater detail the personal, social, and economic impacts of food insecurity and material deprivation. The findings will be based on comprehensive participatory research reflecting the daily experiences of those facing these issues, along with economic analysis that quantifies the cascading costs incurred by individuals, communities, and governments.
The report writers looked at four main areas…
How we define the full scale of need for emergency food, measured by our ‘hunger and hardship’
The scale of hunger and hardship across the UK, including historic and future trends
Who is most likely to face hunger and hardship
Impact assessments of a range of policies, including the fiscal cost and the impact on the scale of hunger and hardship.
