Food banks need your help
Food bank warehouses are running low on supplies
“I’VE never seen it this empty” is what our logistics manager said to me recently.
He was talking about the warehouse that keeps nine food bank outlets stocked, and supplies at the lowest levels he has personally seen.
While food bank use eased across the UK last year, North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank’s didn’t, and we are now buying more of our own stock than ever to keep our nine outlets supplied.
We are appealing for donations of 11 specific items, after a year in which local need held steady while donations fell behind it, leaving stock low this summer.
It’s part of a pattern we have watched build over the past year.
Nationally, food bank parcels fell by 12% last year as inflation eased. Locally, that fall didn’t happen: North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank handed out 15,045 parcels across 2025, 58% above 2019 levels and above the England average.
Every week I see what it takes to keep nine outlets stocked, including at Resound in Blackhorse Road, and this year that’s meant reaching into our charity’s own funds more than ever before.
Last year we had to buy a record one in every four items we gave out, because donations alone weren’t enough.
That’s money that should be funding advice services and support, going instead into holding our stock together.
This community has shown up for us many times before, and I believe it will again.
Harvest and Christmas take care of themselves, but it’s right now when donations dry up.
The following items are what our warehouse needs first, in order of urgency:
1. Tinned fruit
2. Desserts (not chilled)
3. Fruit juices and squashes
4. Cereals
5. UHT milk
6. Tinned tomatoes and cooking sauces
7. Laundry detergent (small boxes)
8. Washing-up liquid
9. Hair care (shampoo and conditioner)
10. Baby food (not formula)
11. Tinned halal meat
You can help in three ways: dropping items at a collection point at a local supermarket or at the food bank’s office – locations are listed at tinyurl.com/3zkpef8h – order directly from an online shop that delivers to the warehouse or donate money.
You can find out more at nbsg.foodbank.org.uk
Ellen Wood
Chief Executive
North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank
Not all kids are the same
Litter collected on Rodway Common
I’VE just been collecting litter at Rodway Common’s Southside cycle jump track.
I’m all in favour of kids out enjoying themselves, however I have to question the parenting of some, and would challenge many of the parents of kids knowingly using the area to get down there and clear up the mess their children leave behind – it’s a disgrace.
However, one positive was that two Year 6 boys stopped and helped me clear the bags containing plastic pop bottles and sweet wrappers – thank you.
Rob Higgins
You don’t have to be a wife
Military Wives Choir Bristol performing in Page Park
WHEN people hear the name Military Wives Choir, they often make a few assumptions.
The biggest is that you have to be a wife. Next, that you need to be able to sing.
Neither is true.
Military Wives Choir Bristol welcomes women from across the military community – whether you’re serving, a veteran, a reservist, a partner, mum, daughter, sister, widow or work in support of the Armed Forces.
If military life has been part of your story, you’ll find a warm welcome.
Another common misconception is that everyone already knows each other. In reality, many of our members walked through the door for the first time knowing no one at all.
Before long, they found themselves chatting over a cup of tea, sampling someone’s homemade cake and discovering that choir night is about far more than singing.
We’ll be starting rehearsals for our Christmas concert when we return, but there’s no pressure to perform.
Some members love taking part in concerts, while others simply enjoy coming along each week for the music, the company and a chance to switch off for a couple of hours.
There’s no audition, no need to read music and no expectation that you’ll have a perfect voice.
If you enjoy singing in the car, in the shower or around the house, that’s all the experience you need.
If you’ve ever wondered whether our choir might be for you, come along and see for yourself – we meet every Tuesday from 7-9pm at Mangotsfield United Reformed Church, starting again on September 8.
For more information or to arrange a free taster session, email bristol@militarywiveschoirs.org.
Military Wives Choir Bristol
Spare a thought for recycling crews
I’D like to say a few words of praise for the hard work that our refuse collection workers do for us.
It is not a job that many of us would want to do, especially in the heat waves we have had recently.
Christine Broadway
Save tools from scrap
WE are inviting as many people as possible to come to a massive sale of pre-loved tools at Kingswood Heritage Museum.
The tools have been donated to our charity, which supports people in Africa and the UK to build sustainable livelihoods by providing skills training and quality tools, but are surplus to requirements.
We want to save the tools from going to the scrapyard – they are in such good condition.
There are tools for all your DIY, building, carpentry, engineering and gardening needs, plus lots of hardware – all electrical items are PAT tested and everything is at bargain prices.
The sale takes place on September 19 and 20, from 11am to 4pm at the museum at Tower Lane, Warmley.
We want to make it a big fund-raising success.
Sarah Townsend
Volunteer
Tools for self-Reliance