Amy Orr
Social Enterprise Development Officer
Waterford Foodbank
Delivering food to people in need in Waterford
What is Foodbank?
Waterford Foodbank contact:
How Do I Get Food Help?
Our food parcels are usually delivered to people who are referred through another agency such as SVDP, MABS or Focus Ireland. However, we also receive requests directly from people in need themselves. If you’re in need of a food parcel, make contact; we’ll assess your situation and take it from there. There is no charge for a food parcel.We know that anyone can reach crisis point and we’re here to help when that happens. If you, or someone you know is living in food poverty in Waterford, get in touch with us. We guarantee complete confidentiality and we make no judgements.
What is in a Food Parcel?
A typical food parcel includes: breakfast cereal, bread, pasta, rice, pasta sauces, baked beans, milk, tea, coffee, biscuits, fresh meat, poultry and vegetables. When possible, we also provide fresh produce provided by local suppliers.
Can I call to the Foodbank?
The Waterford Food Bank is not currently open to the public – all of our food parcels are delivered to homes in a van that has no signs or branding on it. Our service is completely confidential.
What we do:
We distribute food parcels to over 250 families each week, providing nutritious meals and essential groceries. Each food parcel contains items such as bread, tea, cereal, tinned food, vegetables, eggs and other basic food stuffs. The majority of non-perishable food items we provide are non perishable products from a European programme, FEAD, along with fresh meat, vegetables and dairy provided freely or at a discounted price by local suppliers.
We operate three thriving breakfast clubs in Deis schools, ensuring that 165 children start their day with a healthy and energizing meal. Since the breakfast clubs started, attendance and attention in class has improved hugely. The clubs are open
to all children and engagement is focused on the social aspect and enjoyable for all the children.
to all children and engagement is focused on the social aspect and enjoyable for all the children.
Our annual appeal invites the community to donate non-perishable food items and Christmas treats, which are used to create 1000 festive hampers for families in need during the holiday season. Schools,
businesses and industry all participate in food drives and we collect the food on an allocated day in buses!
businesses and industry all participate in food drives and we collect the food on an allocated day in buses!
We collect plastic bottles and cans from local businesses, transforming them into resources to purchase fresh food for our parcels. Waterford Chamber of Commerce have supported us in this initiative with publicity and promoting it amongst its members.
We provide school stationery to families in need, each summer helping children succeed academically.
How Can I Get Involved?
We accept individual and corporate donations. Your generous donation can provide essential food and resources to families in need. These donations are hugely important for Waterford Food Bank to be able to continue its service. Please use the donate button or contact us for more information.
“We are here to help when crisis hits, ensuring no
one in Waterford has to face food poverty alone”
one in Waterford has to face food poverty alone”
How is Waterford FoodBank funded?
Waterford Food Bank receives charitable donations from a number of businesses and organisations including West Pharmaceutical Products, Sanofi, Sun Life Ireland and the Waterford Lions Club among others.
In 2020, Waterford Food Bank was the recipient of a grant from The Community Foundation of Ireland.
Waterford Food Bank receives an annual FEAD credit which is used to access food supplies directly from Foodcloud. FEAD is an EU-wide programme to help people take their first steps out of poverty and social exclusion. (Food for European Aid for the Most Deprived).
Waterford Food Bank receives a donation from the SVDP for each food parcel that is distributed. The donation goes towards the purchase of food and for the running costs of the Waterford Food Bank.
Our food parcels are supplemented by food donated by the public at donation points in several retail outlets including Ardkeen Quality Food Stores, along with SuperValu and Aldi stores in Waterford.
Waterford FoodBank seeks to minimise operational costs by keeping our overheads low. However, we do incur expenses including rent, utilities, insurance and fuel for our van.
Case Studies:
Who runs Waterford FoodBank?
Waterford Food Bank is a Buíon Phort Láirge (trading name of Waterford Area Partnership) programme and is part of the FoodCloud initiative. The organisation is
managed by a Buíon Phort Láirge TUS Supervisor assisted by TUS participants.
managed by a Buíon Phort Láirge TUS Supervisor assisted by TUS participants.