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We can only serve users with vouchers on 24th Dec. Here’s how to get a voucher:
18th December 2024
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Our last day for collecting food parcels as a service user is 24th December, 12 – 2 PM. We reopen 3 Jan. Due to extreme demand, we’ll only be able to give food to clients with vouchers and referrals. We can’t give vouchers; we only fulfil.
Guide to getting a voucher:
The best way to get a voucher is the Help through Hardship line (0808 208 2138), which is open until 23rd December. Please call in advance rather than on the day you’re coming down to us – vouchers can take up to 12 hours to be issued. There may be a wait, but please stay on the phone to keep your queue place.
Other options – please use these in advance too:
- If you’re a Sandwell resident, you can apply via the MySandwell site
- If you’re in Birmingham, you can apply via Birmingham City Council
- Your Local Citizens’ Advice may be able to issue vouchers
- Job Centre Plus /may/ issue a voucher; this can vary case by case
- Your support worker, children’s school, shelter, GP, health visitor, hospital, housing office, or community centre may be able to issue; please speak to them about struggling. Even if they can’t issue you a voucher, we will also accept a referral from them – but it needs to be before the day you come to us, and it will need to be from an official organisation email address, not a personal one. Send to [email protected].
- You can also talk to your local places of worship such as churches, gurdwaras and mosques; even those that can’t issue our vouchers may know of local food help.
One voucher = one parcel (you will need to get a new voucher for every parcel), but vouchers can be used at any one session over several weeks; they don’t expire. If you’re living in difficult times and uncertain about getting through Christmas, please call for a voucher. Even if you’re not sure your emergency will be within the next few days, you then have a 3-day food parcel you can claim if it turns out you do need more support. A Trussell voucher can be redeemed at any Trussell foodbank. Many non-Trussell foodbanks will take them; please ask. Please seek help – it’s what we’re here for! We can also signpost you to other support agencies for issues e.g. debt, welfare, housing, domestic abuse, and more.
