Launch of Bicester Food Bank

Bicester Churches Together is joining the front line in the fight against poverty in its community, with the opening of the Bicester Food Bank Distribution Centre on Friday 15 December.

Based at the St John Ambulance Centre, Ashdene Road, Bicester, the Food Bank is a simple concept designed to help individuals and families in crisis by providing free emergency balanced meals for three days (more if necessary). This is the time assessed as the minimum for appropriate agencies to be able to help.

Food for the bank is raised through churches, local groups and from supermarket collections and is then ‘banked’ in a store.

Withdrawals are made as a result of referrals from registered care professionals such as Social Services, health visitors, Church pastoral workers and others working with poverty. A voucher is issued the agencies to the person in need and can then be redeemed at the distribution centre.’

Spokesman, Joyce Martin, said: ‘We are delighted that the centre has opened and would encourage people to donate to the Food Bank, remembering those who are living in poverty, at Christmas and all through the year.’

The Food Bank will open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-3pm.