The Isle of Wight Foodbank
This year our Charity of the Year is the Isle of Wight Foodbank, as voted for by Red Funnel customers, the wider Island community and our colleagues.
The Isle of Wight Foodbank plays a vital role within the Island community, providing support to local people struggling with food poverty and short-term crisis, ensuring nobody goes hungry or without support during the difficult times they’re facing. They operate five cafes across Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and the West Wight.
The charity works with approximately 100 frontline care professionals to distribute food vouchers to the Island's community while signposting those needing additional support agencies.
We look forward to helping this this hardworking team continue to make a difference in 2024!
Any customers making an online ferry booking with us will soon be able to add a donation upon checkout, so please look out for this, and thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
“It was a great surprise to be first shortlisted with two other amazing charities and now to be selected as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year. We would like to thank both the staff and customers of Red Funnel who have voted for and given us their support. The impact of having this support through the whole year will make such a difference to the provision of food we offer to the Island community.”
– Kay Lewis, Manager, Isle of Wight Foodbank
get help
If you or someone you know on the Isle of Wight needs the support of the IOW Foodbank, click here
give help
If you’d like to learn more about how you can donate food or clothing, volunteer your time, or make a monetary donation to the IOW Foodbank, click here
find out more
Find out more information about all the ways the IOW Foodbank helps the Island community, and for more general queries, please visit the IOW Foodbank’s website.
Most needed items for April
This month’s most needed donations to the Isle of Wight Foodbank are:
Events
Stay up to date with the latest Isle of Wight Foodbank community events.
Clothes Sale
Grab some fantastic items of clothing on the first Saturday of every month
Next Date: Saturday 6 April 2024
Location: Love Lane, Cowes
Wolverton Manor Garden Fair
Come and visit the Clothes sale at the Wolverton Manor Garden Fair.
Date: 31 August - 1 September 2024
Location: Wolverton Manor, Shorwell
Blog
January - Meet our Charity of the Year
The Isle of Wight Foodbank is one of the Trussell Trust’s network of 1,300 foodbanks and plays a vital role within our Island community. They provide support to local people facing hardship, ensuring nobody goes hungry and unsupported during the difficult times they’re facing.
Isle of Wight Foodbank has been in operation since 2011 after it was founded by two members of a local church. Fast forward to today, and Isle of Wight Foodbank partner with local agencies that include local GP’s, Schools, Citizen’s Advice and Social Services, to support Island people in crisis. These agencies issue foodbank vouchers to anyone who qualifies for help, giving them access to three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support.
“We know that anyone can reach crisis point for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income and we’re here to help when that happens.”
In 2023, Isle of Wight Foodbank provided emergency food and support to 7,036 people on the Isle of Wight including 2,820 children. They operate from five locations across the Island at Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and West Wight.
There are approximately 100 dedicated volunteers at the Isle of Wight Foodbank. They work exceptionally hard throughout the year to support the foodbank, with various roles that include helping clients, working in the warehouse, pick up and deliveries, gardening, event support, and sorting donated clothing. Without the hard work of their volunteers, the Isle of Wight Foodbank could not support as many people as they do.
Red Funnel are really proud to be fundraising for the Isle of Wight Foodbank in 2024. In addition to raising money, we’ll be supporting their events, and providing updates on the charity to shine a spotlight on all the incredible work they do for the Island community.
“Red Funnel’s support means so much. We’re excited to work with Red Funnel not only to help us with our events and fundraising, but to highlight what we offer as a charity to the Island.”
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
If you can, donate…
The Isle of Wight Foodbank relies on the generosity of the community and is always in need of food donations, so they can continue to help those facing hard times. The most needed items vary month to month, but you can keep up to date with donation requests by visiting the Isle of Wight Foodbank website (isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk) or by using the ‘Bank the Food’ app - simply add the Isle of Wight to your favourites and it will let you know what items are needed and where the drop-off points are located. You can also find Foodbank drop-off points at Island supermarkets. Alongside food donations, you can also donate clothes for their monthly clothes sales.
If you can’t donate physical items, you can add a monetary donation via their website (isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk) or add a donation the next time you book ferry travel via our website. All money raised through Red Funnel will go directly to the Isle of Wight Foodbank.
Volunteer…
The Isle of Wight Foodbank is regularly looking for volunteers to join the team, keep up to date with volunteer opportunities via their website and social media pages.