Thank you for supporting Luton Foodbank. Please download and print these leaflets to facilitate your school's participation in this year's challenge.

Main flyerClick image to download PDF.
Shopping listClick image to download PDF.

HARVEST CHALLENGE 2021 INFORMATION (Download PDF version)

Thank you for your interest in our annual Harvest Challenge campaign, which begins on Monday 4 October and runs till Friday 22 October 2021.
As you will know, the past 18 months have been extremely difficult because of Covid-19 as more and more people rely on the services of charities like ours.
It is pleasing to see so many schools signed up for Harvest Challenge, and we are deeply appreciative that you are able to support our work with the vulnerable and disadvantaged from our town.

 

DONATIONS

As you will see from the above shopping list, there are particular items we would like to help with our winter stocks. Please encourage your children to collect these. You may wish to stick the flyer up around the school. The food donated will help support Luton Foodbank through the busy winter period.

 

ARRANGING COLLECTION

Please get in touch with the on info@lutonfoodbank.org.uk or 01582 725838 to arrange collection – contact details can be found at the end of this document.

 

ASSEMBLIES

As part of the Harvest activities, we would love to come in to deliver an assembly to speak about Luton Foodbank. Do get in touch to arrange and we will try our best to get along to your school.

 

PRIZES

There are trophies for the schools who donate high amounts. There will also be certificates of acknowledgement for all schools that participate in the Harvest Challenge.

 

PHOTOS

When we come to collect your donation, we would encourage you arrange photo opportunities with our staff. We will circulate these images on social media.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Do tag us in on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and we will share your school’s activities.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.

 

FACTS & STATS

Interesting facts about Luton Foodbank that you can share with your pupils:

  • Luton Foodbank was founded in 2013 in a response to rising levels of deprivation in the town.
  • Luton Foodbank hands out around 300 food parcels per week. During especially difficult times, such as the lead-up to Christmas, that exceeds 400 food parcels per week.
  • To access a food parcel, you must obtain a Luton Foodbank food voucher from a referral agency. These include schools, hospital, local council, other charities in the town, as well religious organisations.
  • A referral agency will assess you and provide you with a food voucher. You can then collect the food from one of the Luton Foodbank distribution centres around the town.
  • Covid-19 has result a drastic increase in the number of enquiries to Luton Foodbank.
  • Each adult food parcel contains 21 items (a child’s parcel contains 14 items).
  • Food parcels last five days each, and any person can use Luton Foodbank up to five times in a year.
  • A food parcel contains long-life food items so people receiving the food parcel do not have to worry about the food going out-of-date.
  • A food parcel includes UHT milk, fruit juice, rice pudding, custard, jam, cereal, tinned fruit, tinned meat/fish, teabags, coffee, sugar, tinned vegetables, dried rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tinned tomatoes, baked beans, tinned spaghetti.
  • Luton Foodbank also receives donations of many other items that are then passed onto service users. These include pet food, toiletries (soap, shampoo, toilet rolls) as well as female hygiene products.
  • It is estimated that there are over 1000 independent foodbanks around the country being run by a network of volunteers. Luton Foodbank is an independently-run food bank.
  • An estimated 8.4 million people in the UK experience food poverty.
  • This means they are experiencing difficulties which leave them unable to meet basic food, shelter or clothing needs.
  • Reasons which mean someone has to use a food bank include; an adult has lost their job, breakdown of the family (parents have split up), they are struggling with their finances and don’t have money to buy food, debts are piling up, benefits from the government have stopped, and they have lost their home.