Prescot Fellowship of Churches
Who we are and what we do?
The Prescot Fellowship of Churches Foodbank provides essential food support and practical assistance to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship across the local community.
Overseen by Majors Bryn and Lyn Hargreaves on behalf of the Prescot Fellowship of Churches, the foodbank is operated with the support of 10+ volunteers each week, helping ensure that people in need can access food parcels, toiletries and additional support.
Alongside its foodbank provision, the organisation also offers free hot meals every week, providing a welcoming space where anyone can drop in, whether or not they require a food parcel.
The service plays an important role in supporting vulnerable members of the community, helping people access essential supplies while providing a consistent and welcoming source of support during increasingly challenging economic circumstances.
How has the grant helped?
Funding from the Oliver Lymes Charity has helped the Prescot Fellowship of Churches Foodbank maintain and strengthen its provision in response to the growing demand for food support across the local community.
The £150,000 grant, awarded over two years, has helped cover the cost of purchasing essential food supplies and toiletries, ensuring the foodbank can continue providing food parcels to individuals and families who need them.
The funding has enabled the organisation to tailor its purchasing each week according to demand, helping ensure that available resources are used effectively while reducing unnecessary waste.
Current expenditure on food and essential supplies is between £850 and £1,000 per week, supporting an average of 30–40 people each week. The grant, alongside continued small monetary donations from the general public, has helped make this level of provision manageable and sustainable.
The funding has also allowed the foodbank to respond more effectively to changing needs, ensuring it can continue providing a much-needed service to people experiencing financial difficulties.
Updates
The foodbank continues to support growing numbers of people across the Prescot community, with the organisation remaining confident that the Oliver Lymes Charity funding will enable it to meet demand throughout the two-year grant period.
To help manage increasing demand and make the service more sustainable, the organisation has introduced some operational changes, including adjusting how frequently clients can receive food parcels. These changes have helped make the foodbank easier to operate while ensuring support remains available to those who need it.
The weekly provision of free hot meals also continues, with anyone welcome to drop in and access a meal, regardless of whether they are receiving a food parcel.
Although demand can fluctuate from week to week, the foodbank is continuing to adapt its approach to ensure resources are distributed as effectively as possible. With demand expected to remain high due to the current economic climate, the grant is playing an important role in helping the organisation maintain its service and respond to the needs of local residents.
The continued support of 10+ volunteers each week, alongside funding from the Oliver Lymes Charity and donations from the public, is helping the Prescot Fellowship of Churches Foodbank provide an essential lifeline for individuals and families experiencing hardship.