EASTLEIGH BASICS BANK

Who are we?

Eastleigh Basics Bank was set-up by the churches of Eastleigh to support those who are experiencing financial difficulty and need short term support through the provision of food.

Support comes with a mix of tins, packets and boxed food as well as fresh produce when we have it available. We ask clients at the time about any special dietary requirements and try to meet those needs as far as our limited stock allows us to.

The bulk of our food is donated by the generous people of Eastleigh and the surrounding area as well as a coupple of local supermarkets. Everyone who serves as part of the Eastleigh Basics Bank team is a volunteer and they are on hand to offer a cup of tea and a chat to those who want it while their food parcels are being prepared.

Do you need our support?

If you are in need of support and a week's supply of food will help, you will need to get yourself referred to us. There are many local agencies that hold our vouchers and can if appropriate issue you with a voucher to get some food. Choosing the best agency to go to depends on your situation. A helpful list of links in the section below, simply click on a logo to visit their website.

Once you have been given one of our food vouchers you can bring it in to the Eastleigh Basics Bank shop on any Tuesday or Thursday between 10am and 3pm. There you can exchange it for up to 5 days of food for the number of individuals stated on the form. While you wait for your food to be sorted you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee served by our friendly volunteers.

If you have any questions please do contact us and we will be happy to guide you as best we can, we understand it takes courage to ask for help.

Need to find a referral agency?

Below are just some of the organisations that hold our vouchers. Click on the link to go to their website.

LATEST NEWS...

Some Statistics

Last updated 21st March 2020

After a really busy year in 2019 (which itself was the busiest since 2014), we're experiencing another real surge in demand in 2020.  The coronavirus attack is having a huge impact on all our lives and many are experiencing job insecurity or illness or are self-isolating at home and can't get out to shop.  Demand for our services over the last two weeks is three times that of last year.

We've fed 736 people so far in 2020 - 416 adults and 320 children, which is 59% ahead of the same point in 2019.

2,451 people were fed during 2019.

So far, we've fed 19,349 people since we first opened in 2011.

STOCK UPDATE

Last updated 21st March 2020

We are facing challenging times at Eastleigh Basics Bank, we are seeing the highest level of demand on our services, as people are having to self-isolate and can't get out to shop, or are laid off from work with no warning.  Availability at our supermarkets can be erratic, particularly for the staple foods on which we need to survive.

We really appreciate any donations, especially of the following items.  Items in most urgent need are highlighted in bold:

  • Cereal
  • Tea
  • Instant pasta (Pot Noodles, Pasta n Sauce, Mug Shot etc),
  • Tinned potatoes
  • Tinned vegetables
  • Tinned spaghetti
  • Tinned ham
  • Sugar
  • Rice
  • Spreads (Jam, honey, peanut butter etc.  - but no marmalade thanks!)
  • Instant coffee
  • Drinking chocolate
  • Desserts (sponge puddings, jelly etc)
  • Toothpaste
  • Toilet rolls
  • Washing up liquid
  • Fish (tuna, sardines, mackerel etc)
  • Baby wipes
  • Dog food (dried and tins)

While we are always grateful for any food given to us, we do have plenty of stock of some products to last us for a few months, specifically: baked beans, tinned rice pudding, soup, tinned fruit and biscuits.  We also have plenty of feminine hygiene products and nappies.

Stock donations can be made at:

  • The Basics Bank shop in Wells Place, Eastleigh (Tuesday & Thursday 10am - 3pm)
  • Tesco (Swan Centre, Eastleigh)
  • Sainsbury (Market Street, Eastleigh)
  • Waitrose (Oakmount Road, Chandler's Ford)
  • Goadsby Estate Agent (Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford branches)
  • Most churches in and around Eastleigh

Thank you!

CARRIER BAGS NEEDED!

Please give us your old carrier bags.

We rely heavily on recycled bags to issue food parcels to our clients and our supplies are desperately low. We'd love to have all your old carrier bags - please dig them out from under the sink and either drop them into the shop (Tues & Thur - 10 till 3) or leave them in one of our collection trollies (Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda or Waitrose). We really appreciate your help!

Our Supporters