By the community, through the community, for the community.
Your support
Although we have no paid staff and try to keep our overheads to a minimum, we couldn’t operate without your donations. In 2023, we gave out nearly 700 food parcels, and each parcel consists of around four bags of groceries.
More than just food
In addition to food parcels, we bought heating oil for 11 households and supplied 3 cookers, 2 washing machines, a fridge-freezer and 17 slow cookers. This would not be possible without the help we receive from you and our local providers such as Morrisons (Hadleigh).
Food Donations
We are always very grateful of any donations we receive, and many items are in constant demand. We take non-perishable foods, ready meals, as well as toiletries and cleaning products.
Financial Donations
At Bildeston Community Support, donated produce only accounts for approximately 60% of our stock and we have no control of the produce donations made to us and we regularly run low on some product lines. Some local residents choose to support us through regular financial donations. Others including community groups choose to make one off donations of money raised through local events. This cash reserve enables us to buy bulk stock from wholesalers.
Household Donations
Occasionally, a major appliance fails and we are faced with a large price tag to purchase a replacement. When this happens to the people we support, BCS will put out a call for help. Many people will replace a functioning cooker, washing machine fridge etc. and we ask that you consider asking us if we can find a home for your old items. Please contact us.
Fresh & Frozen Produce
Bildeston Community Support have two large larder fridges and a large chest freezer which we try to keep well stocked so that we can provide fresh fruit, veg, bread and frozen ready meals which we take in as donations. We ask all local growers; commercial, allotment and garden, PLEASE grow a little extra for the foodbank. We will take in and distribute all your surplus to local families.