Cost of living useful information
Local foodbanks, community shops and essentials

Foodbanks
Lichfield Foodbank runs three foodbanks at the following locations. 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.
- Life Church, Netherstowe, Tuesdays & Wednesdays - find out more
- Wade Street Church - Fridays - find out more
- Curborough Community Centre - Mondays - find out more
Cannock & District Foodbank runs foodbanks at the following location in the district. 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
- New Life Centre, Emmanuel Church, Burmtwood), Tuesdays & Thursdays - find out more about this and other Cannock based locations
Rugeley Foodbank runs a foodbank at the following location. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher. If you need help, please call 07528 447504.
- Rugeley Foodbank - Tuesdays & Fridays - find out more
Tamworth Foodbank runs two foodbanks at the following loations. Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank voucher or referral code from one of our partner organisations. 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
Burntwood Be a Friend community store offers members the chance to buy a weekly shop for either £5 or £10.
Located at 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 website, facebook page or email stepo'shea@sparkburntwood.org
To find out how you can support the community store, email joannedodds@sparkburntwood.org
Amy 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!
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.
Find out more Brereton Millions facebook page
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.
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