Thousands of people in the UK are turning to foodbanks as the soaring cost-of-living leaves many having to choose between paying for a food shop or an energy bill.
Foodbanks have already seen increasing use in recent years as many struggle to make ends meet, but services are needing to step up again to help those wo are struggling more than ever due to the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, foodbanks are now having to purchase three times as much food as they did last year, as the gap between donations and food being distributed gets wider.
Due to the increase in demand, Trussell Trust has started its first Emergency Fund Appeal, to help keep food banks going this winter. You can donate to the Trussell Trust's emergency fund here. Below is a list of foodbanks in the Valleys, items that foodbanks in each area need most at the moment and how to access emergency food parcels.
READ MORE: What foodbanks in Cardiff need in the run-up to Christmas
Blaenau Gwent
What Blaenau Gwent foodbank currently needs
- Instant mash
- Rice
- Powdered milk
- Milk UHT
- Coffee
- Tinned/packed custard
- Tinned rice pudding
- Tinned sponge puddings
- Tinned fruit
- Small tinned meat
- Small tinned potatoes
- Tinned tomatoes
- Tinned spaghetti
- Squash (small and large)
- Crisps and snacks
- Pot noodles
- Jams
- Chocolate spread
- Children's sweets
- Chocolate bars (small and large)
- Shaving foam/gel
- Disposable razors
- Shower gel
- Shampoo/ conditioner
- Men's and women's deodrant
- Wet wipes
- Nappies - size 5, 5+, 6, 6+
- Washing up liquid
- Washing powder/ tablets
- Cat food
How do I donate food items?
Blaenau Gwent Foodbank currently operates in two sites, in Beaufort and Brynmawr, which are delivery only. Donations can be dropped off at the foodbank sites, or shoppers visiting Tesco Superstore in Ebbw Vale and Abertillery, Asda Superstore in Brynmawr, Waitrose in Abergavenny, or Lloyds Bank and the Principality Building Society in Ebbw Vale can drop off food donations at the in-store collection point.
Where are the foodbanks?
Beaufort
Church on the Rise
54 Beaufort Rise
Beaufort
Ebbw Vale
NP23 5JQ
Brynmawr
Tabor Centr
Davies Street
Brynmawr
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 4AD
Bridgend
What Bridgend foodbank currently needs
- Hot chocolate
- Sweets/chocolate
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned custard
- Tinned rice pudding
- Tinned carrots
- Tinned Mushrooms
- Jam
- Peanut butter
How do I donate food items?
There are many supermarket collection points across Bridgend. In-store shoppers visiting Coychurch Road Asda or Tesco stores on Cowbridge Road and Brewery Lane in Bridgend, Castle Street in Maesteg and Heol Fach in Cornelly can donate items purchased within these stores. Food purchased in different stores can be dropped off at the Co-operative stores on Lias Road and New Road in Porthcawl and Sainsburys in Bridgend. Items should be sealed by the donor and marked as having been purchased elsewhere.
Where are the foodbanks?
Bridgend town centre
Open Tuesdays (12pm - 2pm) and Fridays (11am-2pm)
Hope Baptist Church
Station Hill (access via Derwen Road entrance)
Bridgend
CF31 1EA
Aberkenfig
Open Fridays (1pm-3pm)
Community Church
Pandy Road
Aberkenfig
CF32 9PP
Bettws
Open Wednesdays (9am-10.30am)
Saint David’s Church
Bettws Road, Bettws
Bridgend County Borough
CF32 8YD
Caerau
Open Tuesdays (10am-12pm)
Noddfa Community Centre
Caerau Road
Caerau
CF34 0PB
Cornelly
Open Thursdays (1pm-3pm)
Cornelly Community Church,
5 Greenfield Terrace
Cornelly
CF33 4LW
Maesteg
Open Fridays (11am-1pm)
Peniel Evangelical Church
Station Street
Maesteg
CF34 9AL
Pontycymmer
Open Wednesdays (1.30pm - 3.30pm) and Fridays (12pm - 2pm)
His Place
Oxford St
Pontycymer
CF32 8DE
Porthcawl
Open Tuesdays (10am-12pm) and Thursdays (10am-12pm)
The Y Centre
John Street
Porthcawl
CF36 3AP
Pencoed
Open Mondays (1pm-3pm)
St Davids Church Hall
Wimborne Rd
Pencoed
Bridgend
CF35 6SG
Kenfig Hill
Open Fridays (1pm - 3pm)
Bethel Community Church
Pwllgath Street
Kenfig Hill
CF33 6ET
Caerphilly
What Caerphilly foodbank currently needs
- Tinned Fruit (400gms)
- Toiletries e.g. toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap etc
- Sanitary ware
- Boxed milk
- Custard
- Sugar
- Jams
How do I donate food items?
Shoppers visiting Asda Caerphilly can drop donations off at their PCP (Permanent Collection Point). Food donations can also be dropped off outside Connect Life Church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9am - 4pm.
Where are the foodbanks?
Caerphilly
Open Tuesday and Wednesday (10am-1pm)
Caerphilly Foodbank (Trussell Trust)
Connect Life Church
Crescent Road
Caerphilly
CF83 1AB
Merthyr Tydfil
What Merthyr Cynon foodbank currently needs
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned rice pudding
- Tinned carrot
- Tinned meat
- Jams
- Pot noodles (not pasta please)
- Cooking sauces
- Long life milk
How do I donate food items?
Shoppers visiting Tesco Merthyr, Aberdare or Dowlais Top Asda can drop donation off at their PCP (Permanent Collection Point). The supermarket will then give the food bank 20% on their donations. Otherwise, donations can be drop off to the Merthyr Cynon Foodbank warehouse at Gurnos Christian Centre. Donations are then distributed to their five distribution centres in Cynon.
Where are the foodbanks?
Gurnos
Open Monday - Friday (9am-12pm)
Gurnos Christian Centre
26 Spruce Tree Grove
Gurnos
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 9AU
Aberaman
Open Fridays (10.30am-12pm)
Gateway Church Cymru
281 Cardiff Road
Aberaman
CF44 6YA
Cwmbach
Open Monday's 10am-12pm
Cornerstone Church Centre
Sion Terrace
Cwmbach
CF44 OAS
Mountain Ash
Open Thursdays (10.30-12pm)
Cynon Valley Church
The Lighthouse
369 Fernhill
Mountain Ash
CF45 3EW
Cwmaman
Open on Wednesdays (10am-12pm)
Hope Church (Formerly Moriah Aman Christian Centre)
Fforchaman Road (Opposite the Post Office)
Cwmaman
CF44 6NS
Abercynon
Open on Tuesdays (11am-1pm) - Collection only
St. Donat’s Church
Aberdare Road
Abercynon
CF45 4NY
Pontypridd
What Pontypridd foodbank currently needs
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned cold meats (cooked ham, corned beef etc)
- Tinned meat meals (chicken curry, minced beef, stews etc)
- Tinned fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna etc)
- Tinned vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes)
- Tinned rice pudding
- Tinned soup
- Instant noodles
- Biscuits
- Jams and other spreads
- Deodorants
- Toothpaste
How do I donate food items?
Donations can be made at the Riverside Day Centre during their weekday opening hours or shoppers visiting Sainsbury's or Tesco Extra in Pontypridd can donate food at the in-store collection points.
Where are the foodbanks?
Pontypridd
Open Monday -Friday (9am-2pm), Saturdays (10am-12 noon)
Riverside Day Centre
Nile Street
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1BW
Rhondda
What Rhondda foodbank currently needs
- Long Life Juice – Non Refrigerated
- Tin Fish
- Tin Fruit
- Tin carrots
- Packet smash
- Strong carrier bags
How do I donate food items?
Items purchased in ASDA Tonypandy, Morrisons or the Co-op can be donated in store and placed the Foodbank Trolley. Donations are also accepted in the four Rhondda foodbanks.
Where are the foodbanks?
Tylorstown
Open Mondays (10am-12pm) and Fridays (1.30pm-3pm)
Arts Community Church
236-237 East Road
Tylorstown
CF43 3DA
Tonypandy
Open Wednesdays (10am-12pm)
Hope Church Rhondda (Accessible via the bottom car park)
Unit 1-2 Dunraven Street
Tonypandy
CF40 1AN
Ty Newydd
Open Fridays (2pm-3pm)
Blaenycwm Chapel
Wyndham Street
Ty Newydd
CF42 5BT
Pentre
Open Thursdays (10.30am-12pm)
Salvation Army
Carne Street
Pentre
CF41 7LQ
How can I get food from a foodbank?
A valid foodbank voucher is needed to redeem an emergency food parcel. Professionals, like doctors, health visitors, social workers, and Citizens Advice, will be able to refer you to a food bank and give you a food bank voucher if they think you need emergency food.
Once you have been given a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days’ emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.
If you need a foodbank voucher, contact the free Citizen Advice helpline on 0808 2082138, or click here for more information.
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