This week we mark the 10 year anniversary of the Hertford & District Foodbank.
The Foodbank first opened back in April 2013 and all began with a small group of people at a church meeting who identified a need within our communities. From here, these dedicated individuals researched and reached out to other Foodbanks in the area. The Hertford Foodbank then opened its doors as a satellite to the Broxbourne Foodbank and in its first week alone supported 8 people ensuring they had the food that they needed.
The Hertford & District Foodbank became a charity in its own right in May 2014 and then went on to join the Trussell Trust Network in June 2015.
From here the Foodbank has grown from having one depot in Hertford to another in Ware and is now open 5 days per week to provide support to the local communities and the surrounding villages. Working with over 80 agencies, including citizen’s advice, network homes, social services and schools. Unfortunately the need for the Foodbank has continued to grow and in 2022 we provided 4123 food parcels to clients including 1726 to children.
Of course none of this would have been possible without the help of all the volunteers over the last 10 years. Some of whom started at the beginning of the Foodbank’s journey and are still regularly helping today. With over 40 volunteers currently helping to keep the foodbank running we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. To everyone who has ever helped at the Foodbank, the Trustee’s past and present, our project manager who works tirelessly to ensure that everyone is getting the support they need, our treasurer and of course every other single volunteer who has worked for us we offer you thanks. From picking and packing, collecting donations, arranging collections, talking to clients, delivering food, being a friendly welcoming smile when someone first arrives at the Foodbank and those always available to sit and share a cup of tea or coffee and a listening ear. The Foodbank could not run without any of you. Thank you.
Finally, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has ever supported the Foodbank and those that continue to do so. From the first tin of beans to the amazing individual £5000 donations we have received over the years every single donation has helped us to help individuals and families struggling with the cost of living. The Harvest donations, school donations, scouts donations, Christmas donations, extra support at Tesco & ASDA Food drives, donation bins at Supermarkets and Banks, other one off events, money raised through raffle stalls and other projects to name just a few we Thank you.