Volunteering Roles

We are 100% run by volunteers and we welcome new volunteers who want to do their bit to help out.

The main opportunities we have for volunteers are on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as our weekly shopping needs which can be done at a time to suit you.

Fridays

We need to make sure all of our food is dated and stacked in crates ready for our local business partner to pick up and pack into our food parcels for us. We also pack toiletries bags for first time clients and divide up larger bags of pet food into smaller bags for handing out. The Friday prep is essential for a smooth Saturday session. Volunteering is usually from 12.30 for a couple of hours.

Saturdays

We open on Saturday mornings – volunteering is 9-1. This involves unloading crates of food from a van, handing these out to clients and sorting out any returns. It’s quite physical work and fast paced (we try to have fun too!).

Weekly shopping

This involves buying set items each week and dropping off to the food bank at a time to suit you. You leave your receipt with an expense form and it’s promptly reimbursed.

We also have a WhatsApp group where we post requests for ad-hoc help, such as picking up donations or helping at events.

If any of the above sound of interest to you, please get in touch using our Contact Us form. We recommend coming to try out a Friday or a Saturday to see if you enjoy it so let us know when you are available on your message (please don’t just turn up, we need to plan it in to our rota).

Testimonials

  • I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at Feed the Need, your food parcels have helped me so much and each time I've visited, you have been kind and compassionate. I truly cannot convey the amount of stress and worry you have removed from myself and my Husband. Once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    Food bank user

  • My dog passed away 2 weeks ago and I decided to donate the dog food I had left to Feed the Need, but I was so overwhelmed when I got there. The staff were so grateful that I had donated, that it made me feel so humble. Here are these people helping others who are in so much need thanking me. I thought, no thank you, for the fantastic job you are doing. I was so taken by the charity I decided to donate a few more items that they were in need of, and popped them round this morning and sure enough as soon as I was thanked I became completely emotional again. I just makes me feel so thankful for what I have , but I will continue to give what I can and will try to promote the website as much as I can.

    Food bank supporter

  • I collected today and I just wanted to say thank you so much, honestly the food and bits will last us probably 2/3 weeks, I had a little cry when I got home because the generosity is enormous. Thank you again.

    Food bank user

  • Being a volunteer at Feed the Need has helped me build my confidence back up to where it should be and makes me happy knowing that I have helped people in need.

    Katie, one of our current volunteers

  • Hello... I just wanted to send you guys a message as I have had an incredibly bad year with my health and I haven’t had a chance to reach out to you... you guys really helped me out and I am eternally grateful for all you have done for both myself and my children. I am now forced to not work due to ill health and it’s a real struggle. The week up to Xmas you guys made Xmas for us as I was rushed unexpectedly into hospital ..... without you we wouldn’t have had anything at all. My kids were very grateful... as was I... you guys have gone above and beyond.. and I feel you don’t get the recognition you deserve... thank you thank you thank you

    Food bank user

  • Well to start with if I ever need anything in desperate times I know that I can just call you up or visit the foodbank and there will always be polite people ready to help. I use the foodbank to keep me and my children going through the tough times and if I am in any need I know I am welcome to come for food parcels and even just for a chat and catch up. All of the people working at the foodbank are absolute godsends, we really appreciate your help always.

    Food bank user

  • It worries me that people have to live with food insecurity in this day and age, but rather than just grumbling about it, I would rather do my bit by volunteering for the food bank.

    I'm often struck by the sense of relief expressed by people when they collect their food parcel.  It brings home the sheer anxiety that some people have to live with from day to day.

    Marina, one of our current volunteers

  • Thank you so so much for my bags today. We've lived off plain pasta this week and all the treats and food has overwhelmed me.
    Thank you all so much. I hope one day I can repay the kindness to you all. Happy mummy tears thanks to you guys.xxxxxxxxxxxx"

     

    Food bank user