Sherborne Food Bank (which became a registered charity in 2014), was established in 2011. It helps the hungry, and families in crisis, in and around the Parish of Sherborne, Dorset. In its early years the charity was run by just a handful of volunteers and operated from a small church hall. However, as demand has increased, in particular with the cost-of-living crisis, volunteers have risen to 90+ and the food bank now delivers to an area of some 78 square miles from its central Sherborne depot.
Helping the hungry
since 2011
The Food Bank’s day-to-day operations are managed by an unpaid team, including a Chair and Board of Trustees, executive-level volunteers, team leaders and grass-roots volunteers. In 2024, we made 1884 deliveries, distributing more than 51,000 items of food and essentials to individuals and families facing crisis.
In addition to its core emergency food deliveries, Sherborne Food Bank is proud of its outreach to local schools and youth projects, where it directly helps address food poverty issues for local children and young people.
How the Food Bank works
Partner agencies refer those in genuine need to us. Our partners include Citizens Advice, GP surgeries and social prescribers, Magna Housing, schools, churches and more. Those best placed assess need and refer individuals and families to us for the short term help they need. See our full list of referrers.
Donations of food are placed in collection boxes at either Sainsbury’s or Waitrose in Sherborne, The Cooperative Westbridge Park, Hunt’s Food Hall (on the A30), Dike & Son of Stalbridge, in the basket at the back of Sherborne Abbey Church, collection point at Cheap Street Church and in various other parish churches, community and workplace groups and schools.
If your community group does not have a collection point for the food bank we would welcome you to set one up.Â
Our team of 90+ volunteers carries out a range of activities including collecting food from various donation points, sorting the food to check that it’s in date, shopping for shortfall items; then picking and packing into bags for delivery according to individual need.
We deliver emergency food parcels every Friday to Sherborne and the surrounding areas – an area of some 78 square miles. Serving a largely rural area, we deliver parcels to the home address of clients, or by agreement to the agency office which is referring them. For those in rural areas, without access to transport, our delivery service is vital.
Can you help?
We are grateful to the many individuals and organisations who support us through fundraisers, or by nominating us as their charity of the year. To fundraise or make a donation visit JustGiving.