Get emergency foodPhilanthropy
As a philanthropist, Trust, or Foundation, you can play a vital and active role in supporting our work this winter, ensuring people can access emergency food, a warm welcome and support when they have nowhere else to turn.
Our vision is for a future without the need for food banks. The reality here and now, however, is that there are millions of people who simply cannot afford to put food on their table.
We’re really worried about winter. As food prices and energy bills are expected to continue to rise, more families will be forced to make impossible choices.
With nowhere else to turn, food banks are there. Trussell supports a nationwide community of over 400 food banks to provide not only an emergency parcel but compassion, dignity and wraparound support – all the while campaigning for the changes needed to create a future without the need for food banks.
Our work
Supporting our community of food banks
We assist food banks to provide the best possible support to people in crisis right now. We do this by ensuring they have enough emergency food to meet the need in their community; by providing expert support and resources; and by providing grants which cover vital elements like warehouse space, staffing and food delivery costs.
It was very daunting to go to the food bank initially but because they were so welcoming, and made a coffee, I felt comfortable. Nobody judged me.
Maximising income and reducing the burden of debt
90% of people coming to food banks are in debt and many are not receiving the social security payments to which they’re entitled. In fact, approximately £16bn of budgeted social security payments are unclaimed every year.
To address this, we are working with food bank clients and those facing destitution to maximise their income and minimise debt obligation. We are developing a nationwide programme with the goal of providing anyone referred to a food bank in our community with free access to high-quality benefits and debt management advice. We are also expanding and developing our national helpline, Help through Hardship, which is run in partnership with Citizens Advice.
I couldn’t access my benefits and my Personal Independence Payment had been suspended. The helpline explained how I could start getting my benefits again and advised me on accessing public funds, as well as how to adjust my claim since I was too unwell to work.
Campaigning for change
To protect people from destitution, we know that we need a social security system that works for everyone, and secure incomes so people can afford the essentials like food and heating.
Our policy and campaigning asks are rooted in evidence from food banks in our community across the UK, and the people they support.
We work with policymakers and engage the public to ensure they understand fully the state of hunger and poverty in the UK, and what is needed to tackle the root causes of need for food banks. Trussell also currently acts as group secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ending the Need for Food Banks, which was established at the end of 2020.
As organisations committed to compassion, dignity and justice, together we can we authentically advocate for long-term policy solutions to end the grip of poverty. Building on our operational connections, we have already been able to share evidence about the scale and drivers of poverty in the UK and influence for positive change.
Why I support Trussell
Donor Advised Funds
We are happy to accept donations via Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Your DAF provider should be able to organise this. If you’d like to speak to us about donating this way or let us know that you’ve made a donation via your DAF, please get in touch at philanthropy@trussell.org.uk
Legacy giving
We are always happy to discuss other ways of giving, including donating shares or if you are considering leaving a gift in your will. Please get in touch with us at philanthropy@trussell.org.uk.
Donate your unwanted shares
How does it work?
Have shares which are uneconomic to sell? You can support Trussell’s work by donating your small shareholdings to ShareGift, the share donation charity.
ShareGift specialise in accepting small shareholdings that would cost more to sell than they are worth, generating substantial funding for charities. ShareGift also accept larger donations of shares. Simply mention Trussell when you make your gift!
Who are ShareGift?
ShareGift is an independent UK registered charity (No.1052686) which specialises in releasing the money locked up in shareholdings. ShareGift works by collecting together donations of shares (of any size!) until there are enough to sell, before donating the resulting proceeds to a wide range of charities.
To date, ShareGift has donated over £70 million and supported thousands of charities, including £350,000 to Trussell!
ShareGift make their grants based upon a variety of factors, including the suggestions of their donors. That means you can support our food bank community by donating any size of shareholdings to ShareGift, and mentioning Trussell. Simply visit www.sharegift.org or reach out to the team on 020 7930 3737 or help@sharegift.org.
Working with us
Our philanthropy partners work with a dedicated team member who will share the impact of your support over time. We will keep you in the loop with regular updates and insights, as well as our tailored calendar of events aiming to bring you closer to our work.
Email us at philanthropy@trussell.org.uk to explore how we can work together.
Donations Acceptance Policy
Our Donations Acceptance Policy is in line with fundraising regulations and Charity Commission guidance. For more information about our partnerships and our due diligence process, please email philanthropy@trussell.org.uk.