Village Matters

How does Restore Food Bank Work?

I wonder how many of us are aware that there is a food bank operating in Sunbury. Restore is run by volunteers out of St Saviours Church in Vicarage Road. Over 25 people give up their time to volunteer for Restore. The food bank is currently open Monday 10-12 and Thursday 10-12.

Did you also know that there is a small independent charity in Sunbury supporting children with life limiting illnesses and their families. The Charlie Paige Trust is now in its 10th year. As we are heading towards The Christmas period, the Lower Sunbury Business Community is launching an appeal and you can help support both these invaluable charities in their work.

So how does Restore work? Well, food is donated. Local schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to the Food Bank. Food is also collected in our Tesco Sunbury (you might have seen the sign and trolley when you arrive). Food is then sorted and stored. Volunteers check that food is in date ready to be given to people in need.

Restore Food Bank partners with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank referral. Foodbank clients come to St Saviours Church Vicarage Road, to the Restore Food Bank where they can collect a full weeks shop. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink and free hot meal and are able to chat and help direct people to agencies who can work with them to solve longer-term problems.

What Restore needs and where you can help is twofold:

Can you donate goods? Items must be non perishable and within date. Items needed are both food, toiletries and cleaning materials. You can donate items at the following collection points:

  • Yorkshire building society Sunbury cross
  • Tony’s Hairdressers Vicarage Road
  • St Saviours Church Vicarage Road
  • Sunbury Tesco’s
  • St Mary’s Church Sunbury
  • Open Door Church Sunbury
  • Sunbury Methodist Church

Restore also need volunteers. If you can help then please email Claire Hopkins, who is leading this project: Restore@stsaviourssunbury.org.uk. Restore aims to bring the community together by providing compassionate, practical help with dignity whilst challenging and contributing to society and demonstrate social responsibility.

They want to eradicate loneliness by letting people know that help is available through the foodbank, debt centre, and fellowship. With that in mind they have recently set up a FREE community lunch. It is held every other Wednesday at St Saviours Church Vicarage Road Sunbury 11.45-13.45. It is open to THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. If you are in need, or if you want to see how you can help, so don’t be shy!