Jubilee Storehouse – the food bank serving Aberystwyth and surrounding area

By Malcolm Dye

Is there really a need for a food bank in Aberystwyth in the 21st Century? That’s the question we asked ourselves in 2010. At that time, we were not sure, but felt God was calling us to get involved in this sort of service to the community. In retrospect, the answer is clearly yes. God is always right!

In 2012, the first full year of the food bank, we issued 136 food packs and in 2017 we issued 681. That’s an increase of 400%. In 2018, we are averaging 13 food packs weekly.

The food bank is called Jubilee Storehouse and was set up by a group from St Anne’s Church in Penparcau and Llanychaearn Church in Rhydyfelin. We now have a team of 20 volunteers (nobody is paid), including people from other churches in the area, as well as some who would not regard themselves as Christian.

So why is a food bank needed? The underlying problem is that many people don’t have much (or any) money saved. So, when income reduces, or unexpected bills appear, then soon there is not enough money to pay for life’s essentials. When people cannot buy food, then the food bank can step in to provide a short-term supply of food to help them during their crisis. We work with front-line support agencies who have the necessary expertise to assess people’s needs. If a need is discerned, they issue their clients with a food voucher, who exchange it for food from the food bank. Our partner agencies include Citizen’s Advice, Social Services and many more. We expect the agencies to be helping their clients to overcome their immediate crisis.

We help all sorts of people; single (60%), couples (20%) and families of all sizes (20%), and for all sorts of reasons. However, problems with benefits account for about half our referrals. But it does not need to be a financial problem. For example, we were able to help a frail, elderly man who had been discharged from hospital to his home, where there was no food and he was unable to get out to buy anything.

The food we give out is provided through the generosity of people in the community and by local supermarkets providing places where food can be collected. Without this input, Jubilee Storehouse would not be able to operate. So those in need are actually being helped by the community around them, and that’s as it should be.