The vote in the House of Commons last week on free school meals for children during the school holidays has prompted a large response from our readers.

Politics aside, we wanted to provide a list of our local foodbanks, community fridges and schemes which are helping to feed people in need, alongside what footballer Marcus Rashford is doing to highlight those helping.

After the enormous response to his latest campaign, he tweeted: “Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half term. Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know.

“Add #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can.”

We also wanted to highlight the businesses doing their bit as well. We know there are plenty of places out there and this list is compiled from the responses we have had from people.

Please use our facility at the bottom of this article to tell us what you're doing and we'll update as much as we can.

Foodbanks:

  • Christchurch Foodbank has already reminded people of their School Holiday Hunger scheme. There are vouchers and food parcels already prepared. Here's what they need and how you can donate

  • Poole Food Bank: You can drop items off at Wesley Cafe at The Spire, High Street, Mon -Fri 09:30-14:30, Collection box outside M&S in Dolphin Centre, 

    Tesco at Fleetbridge, Tower Park, Branksome Park, Asda - Poole, Waitrose in Parkstone, Sainsburys at Poole.

    For larger donations over 3 carrier bags please call 07704968338 to arrange delivery. More details here

  • Southbourne Food Bank: Food donations can be delivered to Immanuel Church Community Hall between 9am and 3pm on Wednesdays.

Bournemouth foodbank: With a variety of locations across the town, there is plenty of information here for how you can donate, and different ways of helping. And they have a list of local partners whose support helps them run their service. They include: 

  • Foresters Financial
  • Nationwide
  • LV=
  • JP Morgan
  • Turbocam
  • The Firkin Shed Micro Pub
  • All Things Nice Cafe
  • Westbourne Rotary Club
  • Bournemouth Rotary Club
  • Freemasons
  • Organix
  • Westbourne Fire Station
  • The Lounges
  • Footprints Dance Studio
  • FareShare
  • Tesco
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Waitrose
  • Co-Op
  • Fire Radio
  • 4Com
  • Wimborne Food Bank at Leigh Park Community Centre is reporting an increase in clients. So all donations gratefully received. All information here.
  • Swanage Food Bank is based at the Salvation Army Hall. It's worth checking what they need on their Facebook page. 
  • Kinson and West Howe Food Bank: How to help here

You can find out more at Faithworks Wessex.

Read more: FareShare and the Trussell Trust looking for collection helpers

Community Fridges: 

There are community fridge organisations in Branksome, Rossmore, Townsend and Boscombe.

A Community fridge is a refrigerator located in a public space. It enables food to be shared within a community. Anyone can put food in and anyone can take food out. The main aim of the Community Fridge is to reduce food waste.

Charities:

  • ​Hope for Food

  • Winton Bournemouth Salvation Army 

Libraries

  • All 24 BCP public libraries are accepting food donations for local foodbanks, with Branksome and Rossmore libraries also host community fridges for residents to use.

Businesses and individuals

​We know there will be plenty of businesses our there giving help. Tell us about it and we'll add you to the list.

  • Cllr Kieron Wilson will be making packed lunches to deliver in Muscliff and Strouden Park ward

  • Cloisters, Wimborne

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  • Swanage Bakery
  • The Purbeck Deli
  • Lounge One
  • Swanage Bay Fishmonger
  • Gullivers Farmshop and Kitchen, Ferndown 
  • Peaches of Bournemouth
  • Captain Cod's, Christchurch
  • Restaurant Roots, Southbourne
  • Forno Sourdough Pizza Bar, Winton 
  • Ricky's Southbourne
  • The Pantry, The Grove, Christchurch