Churches for Horley Foodbank is based in Horley Methodist church and run by around 30 volunteers, involved in administration, distributing food parcels and serving refreshments during opening hours.

The foodbank relies entirely on donations of food and toiletries from the public.

As there are no paid workers, every penny they receive goes towards supporting the local community in food poverty.

In February 2015, Churches for Horley Foodbank was set up when members of the local churches recognised a need for the service in the community, as more people were finding themselves in food poverty.

Now, the foodbank accepts a range of referrals from GPs, health advisors, housing, schools, Citizens Advise Bureau, churches and more.

Churches for Horley Foodbank has a particularly strong focus on referrals from schools because children are often affected by situations beyond their control.

Clients can be referred because they find themselves out of work, have had their benefits sanctioned, are in ill health, are unable to work, have escaped domestic abuse or struggle to manage their money, and therefore are unable to buy their everyday essentials.

Whatever the reason, people are referred for an 8 week period during which the referrers are encouraged to seek financial support for the client so that, by learning to manage their money, people can avoid long term foodbank reliance and become self-sufficient.

Foodbanks support people in times when they need it most by providing food, toiletries and a sense of community where people are cared for, no matter of their situation.

One client described Churches for Horley Foodbank as “very helpful, particularly with my finances.”

Another client said the foodbank was “a lifeline, providing all my essentials and more. So grateful for everything.”

However, this incredible service relies purely on the generosity of the public, local organisations, and churches.

Churches for Horley Foodbank asks for food supplies including:                                                                                                                                                                                              

  • Tinned meals (hot dogs, chicken in sauce, pies)
  • Tinned cold meat, fruit, vegetables, or tomatoes
  • Tinned spaghetti / baked beans
  • Tinned custard
  • Sweet biscuits
  • Cereal
  • UHT skimmed milk
  • Tea bags / coffee
  • Fruit squash
  • Pasta sauce
  • Soups

These can be dropped off at donation points in the local Waitrose, Tesco, Lidl, Nationwide Building Society, Leisure centre and churches.

The foodbank also gratefully accepts donations at Horley Methodist Church during the opening hours on a Saturday between 11 and 12 am.

In addition to food, the foodbank also appreciates any donations of money which is then spent on topping up food supplies and buying fresh products.

If people would like to donate, they should contact the foodbank for their bank details using the contact form on the website http://www.horleyfoodbank.com/.

“We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from individuals, businesses and local donations.

“Donations of goods, time and money enable us to continue distributing food to those most in need”  - Diane Collins, Churches for Horley Foodbank manager.

Without the support of the local people, there would be no service to tackle food poverty.