MARCH 2021 I ISSUE 1

CARMARTHENSHIRE'S
FOOD NETWORK
An introduction to the Network and it's members

Connect I Share I Support

The key principals of the network are to
Connect with like minded individuals to
An encouraging alleviate food poverty across the county;
start ... Share resources, skills, experience, knowledge
and volunteers, and Support one another to
support our citizens.

10.02.2021 07.03.2021

Initial Meeting begin green mapping

02-08.03.2021 1-2-1 meetings

Cluster Meetings being arranged

10.03.2021 reaching out to

Food Hygiene Training potential members

 “When adversity strikes, that’s when you have to be

the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay

grounded and press on.” LL COOL J

Pandemic brings out the best in people

Communities were proactive in responding to the needs of their residents when Wales was
plunged into lockdown in March 2020. With the Covid-19 Coronavirus spreading through the
principality the need to provide a plethora of support, for our more vulnerable neighbours,
was activated. FaceBook groups, WhatsApp groups, telephone trees and a host of other
mechanisms offering Covid-Support sprung up in most corners of Carmarthenshire.
Community volunteering armies were deployed to support with collecting medication,
accessing groceries, linking with foodbanks and providing welfare calls to keep people's
spirits up. 'Hello' cards arrived through letterboxes offering a local contact to call,
newsletters were created to share local information and highlight local delivery services and
connections were created to share knowledge and resources. When help was needed the
response from our kind communities was outstanding. Jmlh2021

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 01

Creating a Movement
... a place where stocks of food, typically basic
provisions and non-perishable items, are supplied free
of charge to people in need.
Connect I Share I Support

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 02

 LIFESHARE
ANTIOCH’S FOOD AND
CLOTHES BANK

Established in December 2011, Lifeshare Foodbank

has been at the heart of the Glan Y Mor area of
Llanelli.

Lifeshare is an independent Foodbank, part of

Antioch church’s community expression. We have a
heart for the least and the lost and long to see an
end to poverty. Lifeshare Foodbank works on a
voucher referral basis, working with a number of
key community organisations to ensure we are
helping those in need. We support those that are
financially struggling. We operate a 3 vouchers a
year scheme but are flexible on this when
appropriate. We understand that those that are
accessing Foodbanks often find it challenging to
access them.

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 03

 AWAYDAYS FOOD
DISTRIBUTION
A LA N B O WE N

Open 11am to 12noon

Awaydays has run in the town for 17 years, helping
daily
people get together regularly and offering emotional
and mental wellbeing support.
Pick up from The
It's not a food parcel service as such, we have a
Nurture Centre,
Carmarthen. range of food laid out which we collect throughout
the week and people can take what they want.
Tinned Foods. As well as Awaydays, Mr Bowen also runs the
offshoot group Awaydays Coastcare.
07507 257 692 This is made up of the more adventurous group
members who travel to destinations and do a beach
awaydays@mail.com clean or litter pick.

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 04

CARMARTHEN FOOD BANK

Carmarthen Foodbank was set up by Towy

Community Church in partnership with The
Trussell Trust in September 2010 and officially
opened in January 2011 opening just one day a
week from a small office in Carmarthen Town
Centre. Since 2013, Carmarthen Foodbank has fed
over 9,000 people and become the fastest growing
foodbank in Wales. It is run by a team of over 20
volunteers.

Miriam Jones

The food parcels we give contain enough food to

last 3 days and we include a suggested menu to
provide nutritional meals.

Currently Deliveries ONLY.

Our partner
Carmarthen Community Money Advice are offering
a new service to reduce anxiety around talking
about your finances. This will enable you to seek
advice without the added stress and anxiety of
talking about it.

PAGE 02
Connect I Share I Support PAGE 05
 Jackie Hamilton

01267 230694 carmarthen@salvationarmy.org.uk

KINDNESS AND
COMPASSION

Someone is in office Mon – Thursday 9-4pm

We serve a hot takeaway meal at 12 noon on a

Tuesday and Thursday each week.
We distribute any food donations we have been
given at the same time.
We have emergency short term food bags for those
in urgent need ie those experiencing homelessness
or crisis.
We can issue E vouchers for Carmarthen
Foodbank.

PAGE 02
Connect I Share I Support PAGE 06
 CWMAMAN FOOD
BANK
M A R I S S A S W E E N E Y A R I S

marissa@cwmamantc.org

Cwmaman foodbank supports the

community of Cwmaman (Glanaman
and Garnant wards) that has been
affected by Covid 19.

Cwmaman Community Centre, High St,

Glanaman. SA18 1DX

Open on Friday

07776241865

Tinned Food
Cleaning products
Hygiene products
Ideas of what to cook with the food
provided
Special food: Halal, diabetic, gluten
free, etc

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 07

 LLANDOVERY YOUTH AND
COMMUNITY CENTRE
Jill Tatman
Gerwyn House, Market Square, Llandovery, SA20 0AB
Chloe Baker

We are in this together and we

want you to know we are here
Call for a chat
for you
We are a foodbank who deliver shopping to
9.00 am to 4.00 pm isolating and shielding members of the community.
Monday to Friday Llandovery, Cynghordy, Llanwrda, Llangadog,
Gwynfe, Cilycwm

01550 721499 Tinned Food

Cleaning products
Hygiene products
jilltatman@yahoo.com Fresh meat
Herbs and spices

Access to citizens advice service.

PAGE 02
Connect I Share I Support PAGE 08
 LLANELLI FOODBANK
CLAIRE CHILDS

Emergency food and

Hygiene aid and
@LlanelliFoodbank Mondays, Wednesdays
signposting to support
and Fridays 10am-1pm
services

SUPPORTING THE
COMMUNITY SINCE 2011
Our foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working
together towards stopping hunger in our local area.

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why
we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local
people who are referred to us in crisis.

We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust,

working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system.

Tinned Food, Fresh Fruit, Fresh Vegetables, Cleaning products, Hygiene products, Herbs
and spices, Ideas of what to cook with the food provided, Special food: Halal, diabetic,
gluten free

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 09

 Kidwelly Police Station, Banc Pendre, Kidwelly

Jonathan Williams

Pembrey and Burryport Foodbank: Amanda Evans

Cetma Surplus food project was started 3 years ago.

Our main aim is to make sure that food that is still edible does
not go to landfill instead it goes to other projects and
organisations that are helping the most vulnerable in our
communities such as the soup kitchens etc.
The food is collected from different stores across the county and
then is delivered to where it is needed.

PBP Food Bank: we cover Pembrey and Burry Port, Carway,

Trimsaran, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Pontyates, Ponthenri, Pwll, Five
Roads, Hendy and Fforest. Please contact us for help and support.

Tinned Food, Fresh Fruit, Fresh Vegetables / Cleaning

products, Hygiene products / Herbs and spices / Ideas of what
to cook with the food provided / Special food: Halal, diabetic,
gluten free, other.

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 10

THE PANTRY IMPACT 242
A place where you' re loved not judged

PART OF THE WORK BY ST

DAVID’S DIOCESE [CHURCH
OF WALES]

We provide food parcels to

those in need.
We accept every request on a
case-by-case basis and are
flexible with our opening hours.
We signpost to other services.
We host a kids service on
YouTube.
Tinned Food, Fresh Fruit, Fresh
Vegetables, Cleaning products,
Hygiene products.

01269 507838

Cross Hands Public Hall

andCinema, Carmarthen Road
SA14 6SU Cross Hands

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 11

 WHITLAND TOWNHALL
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
Helen Ryan
whitlandfoodbank@gmail.com

WE ARE COMMUNITY
Distribution of Ambient Goods and
Frozen Bakery

Delivery service for those unable to collect.

Also respond to other community needs.

Currently open:
Tuesday 2pm-4pm
Thursday 6pm - 7.30pm
and can also open for
emergency food packages.

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 12

Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion & Carmarthenshire

CARIAD PET
FOOD BANK
run by Cariad Pet Therapy CIC

Robert Thomas

Our Mission
to ensure that pets have access to
nutritious food during times of
hardship
by offering a pet owner a timely,
consistent, individual pet food bank
service they will continue to receive
the comfort, companionship and
wellness that pets provide
these measures, in turn, will aid the
prevention of a pet being taken into a
rehoming centre

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 13

 Established in 2013

http://ammanford.foodbank.org.uk/ 07804 189830

Ammanford Food Bank Ammanford Evangelical

Church
Whether its through volunteering or donating, we serve
Wind Street
Ammanford together. Simply providing food is not our goal
Ammanford
– we want to see men and women get the help they need in
SA18 3DR
order that they may be freed from whatever problems they
face. Short-term relief is essential, but just as papering over
Fridays 10-12
cracks doesn’t solve the problem, neither does just providing
food.
This is why, when a client comes to see us we spend time
with them, listening and caring. Then as we seek to provide
them with food, so too do we direct them to our other
organisations who can offer long-term support and help.
Ammanford Food Bank is about more than food, it’s caring
for the community to the best that we can.

07804 189830
@AmmanfordFoodbank

We offer tinned and packs

of food that are within use
by date.
We also offer fresh bread, By referral.
fruit and vegetables as they
are available. We also seek to help the
We supply baby products root cause of the crisis by
(milk, food, nappies & signposting to our partners
toiletries), pet food, for health, housing,
toiletries and cleaning financial, utilities &
products. wellbeing support.

Connect I Share I Support PAGE 14

JUST THE START ...

Think BIG
FASHION NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Explaining the catwalk - 3

Good Communication Supports the Mission

With every new layer to navigate comes more reasons why positive and empowering
actions 'take time'. There are no quick fixes regarding food poverty but there are steps
that Communities can take to embrace their own responses to this additional
pandemic!

The premise of a Carmarthenshire Food Network was borne out of an idea to create a
mechanism for the incredible projects, already working hard to support our residents, to
speak with one another. The spokes needed a hub to connect to and a way of merging
their authoritative voices for the common goal of improving the lives of those struggling.
Whilst still in a state of forming, and developing the over arching aims and objectives of
the network, there have been a number of encouraging connections made amongst its
members who are now sharing good practice and identifying support needs of others.

The network does not focus entirely on food banks, soup kitchens and hot food projects
as we believe that food insecurity can be tackled through taking a holistic approach and
considering the many facets that bring people to the point of needing help. There are so
many exceptional projects already underway so let's place a spotlight on them so that
we can get involved and GROW our connections.

Our community growers are vitally important in supporting community groups to

develop their own allotments, shared growing spaces, orchards etc. and we are
currently mapping county provision to identify gaps. We are all potential candidates for
our community's land army, experts in cooking good hearty local dishes, visual
storytellers and local historians - all essential requirements for a regular local meal
nurtured, created, shared and enjoyed. This is about helping to build resilient
communities and creating connections for all.

Our support partners include experts and advocates to help with mental health, debt
and budgeting, fuel poverty, meal planning, domestic abuse, cooking skills, nutrition
and ways to connect with others. It may not feel like it at times but we are ALL IN THIS
TOGETHER.
Connect I Share I Support PAGE 15
Inaugral Meeting: February 10th @ 6pm

Food Bank / Food Share Cluster Meeting March 2nd @ 6pm

Hot Food Project Cluster Meeting March 3rd @6pm

Growers Cluster Meeting March 4th @6pm

Community Support Cluster Meeting March 8th @ 6pm

Food Safety Training Distributed: March 12th

Carmarthenshire PSB:
Growing Carmarthenshire
Welsh Food Poverty Network

Food Poverty Alliance Wales

Food Network Wales

Public Health Wales