Foodbanks and community shops

Foodbanks and more
Foodbanks and more

Foodbanks

Lichfield Foodbank

Lichfield Foodbank runs three foodbanks. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher. If you need help, please call 07833 844873 or email clientvoucher@lichfield.foodbank.org.uk.

Cannock & District Foodbank

Cannock & District Foodbank runs a foodbanks at in Burntwood. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher. If you need help, please call 01543 422394 or email info@cannockdistrict.foodbank.org.uk

Rugeley Foodbank

Rugeley Foodbank runs a foodbank in Rugeley that may be closer for residents living in Lichfield District. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher. If you need help, please call 07528 447504 or email info@rugeley.foodbank.org.uk.    

  • Rugeley Foodbank, Rugeley Community Centre, Burnthill Lane, Rugeley, WS15 2HX, Tuesdays & Fridays - find out more

Tamworth Foodbank

Tamworth Foodbank runs two foodbanks that may be closer for residents living in Lichfield District. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher or referral code from a partner organisation. If you need help, please call Manna House (01827 302431) and St Andrew's Church (07734 177262). 

  • Manna House, Glascote Road. Tamworth - Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - find out more
  • St Andrew's Church. Tamworth - Thursdays - find out more

Community shops

Burntwood Be a Friend community store

Burntwood Be a Friend community store offers members the chance to buy a weekly shop for either £5, £10 or £20. Everyone can become a member.

Any proceeds from the community store fund free activites across Burntwood. You are also helping the environment by preventing perfectly good food from going to landfill!

Location
3 Jervis Court, Sankeys Corner, WS7 1BL - get directions.
Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.30am - 2.30pm.
Registrations for new members are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am - 1pm.

To find out more visit the Burntwood Be a Friend facebook page or email communitystore@burntwoodbeafriend.org.uk 

To find out how you can support the community store, email manager@burntwoodbeafriend.org.uk

Spark's Community Fridge

Spark's Community Fridge, launched in May 2022 is accessible term time Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm (visit Spark's facebook page for updates on opening times and location).

Unlike food banks, the Community Fridge is available for anyone to use. 

We receive donations of food and offer food, share recipes and save food going to waste - simple solution to wasting less food through the sharing of good quality food.

Visit Spark's facebook page and you will find regular posts, photos and updates about the Community Fridge.

Brereton Millions

Brereton Millions Community Hub runs a community shop in Brereton. New members are welcome and it costs £2 to become a member.

It costs £5 per bag of shopping and the hub supply the bags. Currently cash only.

If you need great value food, why not go along and see for yourself the fresh, frozen, dry and other products on offer.

Location 
Located at Brereton Community Hub
Find out more at Brereton Millions facebook page

Heart of Tamworth Community Shop

Anyone can use the Heart of Tamworth Community Shop - you do not need to be referred to use it. The idea is simple - food prices are increasing rapidly and many people are finding it harder to make their budgets stretch. The HoT Shop was set up to help people at this difficult time.

Customers fill their own carrier bag (we are always short of carrier bags so please bring your own!) with their choice from the range of chilled, frozen, fresh, tinned and packet food available. In addition, you are welcome to add some free fruit, vegetables and bakery products.

A bag of shopping costs £5 and the range of food available varies depending on what has been donated.

Location and opening times
Sacred Heart Community Centre
Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm
Closed weekends and bank holidays
Visit www.heartoftamworth.org to find out more.

Tamworth Pantry

Tamworth Pantry offers drop in sessions for people who need access to non-perishable food and household/toiletry items. Each household registering is entitled to 10 food items, plus two household or toiletry items. Customers need to bring with them a proof of address and ID.

Contact the Tamworth Pantry facebook page for more information.

Household support fund

If you are facing exceptional financial hardship, particularly if you have not been eligible for other government support, you may be eligible for a £65 supermarket voucher and £20 for each additional dependant, child, or person you care for, as part of the household support fund. 

To be eligible you must be able to demonstrate you are facing financial hardship.

You cannot apply direct, but you can ask local organisations including including Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) to refer you to the Staffordshire Cares team.

Free school meals

If you're on a low income and receive certain benefits, your child can get free school meals.

School meals are a good way to make sure your child eats well at lunchtime and can save you time and money.

Apply for free school meals

Free holiday activities and food 

If you claim certain benefits and your child gets free school meals, they can attend activities in the christmas, easter and summer holidays and get a meal, all for free.

The Holiday Activities and Food scheme is funded by the Department for Education. Staffordshire County Council has teamed up with local organisations to offer a wide range of activities where children can try new things, make new friends, work on arts and crafts, cook and play sport, as well as getting a meal.

Find out about free holiday activities

Eating well on a budget

Find meal inspiration and healthy, budget-friendly recipes on the Staffordshire Connects pages. 

Go to the eating on a budget page