Funding was awarded to St George's Foodbank, Bournemouth for six months worth of food supplies and for their Social Canteen, offering a weekly Friday evening community meal.
Each week, between 50 and 90 local residents attended and in the six months of our funding, this equated to a total number of approximately 1,820 beneficiaries.
Attendees come in, find or join a table, and then head to the café counter to be served their food. Most weeks there are 3 courses and there is always a vegan/vegetarian option. They have cooked chillies, casseroles, lasagnes, pies, curries, baked potatoes and much much more. Pudding has included lots of fruit crumbles, brownies and cakes, with ice cream, cream and custard!
Sometimes they have also offered entertainment and a drop-in support session, for example, their Income Maximisation Coordinator Maggie, helps people to work out if they are accessing all available financial and other support. She is very approachable and knowledgeable and is a great first contact for people interacting with the foodbank as a community hub. They also connect people with debt advisors, energy and water advisors, and employment and volunteering support and opportunities.
St George's Foodbank reported to us that the biggest change they see through running the Social Canteen is the increase in enthusiasm for engagement from local people. This is imperative to them as a charity.
The impact on physical health and mental health is plentiful. A hot, nutritious, freshly-cooked meal, where beneficiaries can also get involved with volunteering for Social Canteen or other Bournemouth Foodbank projects, whilst staying active and connected in a safe and welcoming environment.