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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Angharad Thomas

Foodbanks in the Valleys: Where they are and how you can access them or donate to them

Thousands of people in the UK are turning to foodbanks as the soaring cost-of-living leaves many having to choose between paying for a food shop or an energy bill.

Foodbanks have already seen increasing use in recent years as many struggle to make ends meet, but services are needing to step up again to help those wo are struggling more than ever due to the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, foodbanks are now having to purchase three times as much food as they did last year, as the gap between donations and food being distributed gets wider.

Due to the increase in demand, Trussell Trust has started its first Emergency Fund Appeal, to help keep food banks going this winter. You can donate to the Trussell Trust's emergency fund here. Below is a list of foodbanks in the Valleys, items that foodbanks in each area need most at the moment and how to access emergency food parcels.

READ MORE: What foodbanks in Cardiff need in the run-up to Christmas

Blaenau Gwent

What Blaenau Gwent foodbank currently needs

  • Instant mash
  • Rice
  • Powdered milk
  • Milk UHT
  • Coffee
  • Tinned/packed custard
  • Tinned rice pudding
  • Tinned sponge puddings
  • Tinned fruit
  • Small tinned meat
  • Small tinned potatoes
  • Tinned tomatoes
  • Tinned spaghetti
  • Squash (small and large)
  • Crisps and snacks
  • Pot noodles
  • Jams
  • Chocolate spread
  • Children's sweets
  • Chocolate bars (small and large)
  • Shaving foam/gel
  • Disposable razors
  • Shower gel
  • Shampoo/ conditioner
  • Men's and women's deodrant
  • Wet wipes
  • Nappies - size 5, 5+, 6, 6+
  • Washing up liquid
  • Washing powder/ tablets
  • Cat food

How do I donate food items?

Blaenau Gwent Foodbank currently operates in two sites, in Beaufort and Brynmawr, which are delivery only. Donations can be dropped off at the foodbank sites, or shoppers visiting Tesco Superstore in Ebbw Vale and Abertillery, Asda Superstore in Brynmawr, Waitrose in Abergavenny, or Lloyds Bank and the Principality Building Society in Ebbw Vale can drop off food donations at the in-store collection point.

Where are the foodbanks?

Beaufort

Church on the Rise
54 Beaufort Rise
Beaufort
Ebbw Vale
NP23 5JQ

Brynmawr

Tabor Centr
Davies Street
Brynmawr
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 4AD

Bridgend

What Bridgend foodbank currently needs

  • Hot chocolate
  • Sweets/chocolate
  • Tinned fruit
  • Tinned custard
  • Tinned rice pudding
  • Tinned carrots
  • Tinned Mushrooms
  • Jam
  • Peanut butter

How do I donate food items?

There are many supermarket collection points across Bridgend. In-store shoppers visiting Coychurch Road Asda or Tesco stores on Cowbridge Road and Brewery Lane in Bridgend, Castle Street in Maesteg and Heol Fach in Cornelly can donate items purchased within these stores. Food purchased in different stores can be dropped off at the Co-operative stores on Lias Road and New Road in Porthcawl and Sainsburys in Bridgend. Items should be sealed by the donor and marked as having been purchased elsewhere.

Where are the foodbanks?

Bridgend town centre

Open Tuesdays (12pm - 2pm) and Fridays (11am-2pm)
Hope Baptist Church
Station Hill (access via Derwen Road entrance)
Bridgend
CF31 1EA

Aberkenfig

Open Fridays (1pm-3pm)
Community Church
Pandy Road
Aberkenfig
CF32 9PP

Bettws

Open Wednesdays (9am-10.30am)
Saint David’s Church
Bettws Road, Bettws
Bridgend County Borough
CF32 8YD

Caerau

Open Tuesdays (10am-12pm)
Noddfa Community Centre
Caerau Road
Caerau
CF34 0PB

Cornelly

Open Thursdays (1pm-3pm)
Cornelly Community Church,
5 Greenfield Terrace
Cornelly
CF33 4LW

Maesteg

Open Fridays (11am-1pm)
Peniel Evangelical Church
Station Street
Maesteg
CF34 9AL

Pontycymmer

Open Wednesdays (1.30pm - 3.30pm) and Fridays (12pm - 2pm)
His Place
Oxford St
Pontycymer
CF32 8DE

Porthcawl

Open Tuesdays (10am-12pm) and Thursdays (10am-12pm)
The Y Centre
John Street
Porthcawl
CF36 3AP

Pencoed

Open Mondays (1pm-3pm)
St Davids Church Hall
Wimborne Rd
Pencoed
Bridgend
CF35 6SG

Kenfig Hill

Open Fridays (1pm - 3pm)
Bethel Community Church
Pwllgath Street
Kenfig Hill
CF33 6ET

Caerphilly

What Caerphilly foodbank currently needs

  • Tinned Fruit (400gms)
  • Toiletries e.g. toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap etc
  • Sanitary ware
  • Boxed milk
  • Custard
  • Sugar
  • Jams

How do I donate food items?

Shoppers visiting Asda Caerphilly can drop donations off at their PCP (Permanent Collection Point). Food donations can also be dropped off outside Connect Life Church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9am - 4pm.

Where are the foodbanks?

Caerphilly

Open Tuesday and Wednesday (10am-1pm)
Caerphilly Foodbank (Trussell Trust)
Connect Life Church
Crescent Road
Caerphilly
CF83 1AB

Merthyr Tydfil

What Merthyr Cynon foodbank currently needs

  • Tinned fruit
  • Tinned rice pudding
  • Tinned carrot
  • Tinned meat
  • Jams
  • Pot noodles (not pasta please)
  • Cooking sauces
  • Long life milk

How do I donate food items?

Shoppers visiting Tesco Merthyr, Aberdare or Dowlais Top Asda can drop donation off at their PCP (Permanent Collection Point). The supermarket will then give the food bank 20% on their donations. Otherwise, donations can be drop off to the Merthyr Cynon Foodbank warehouse at Gurnos Christian Centre. Donations are then distributed to their five distribution centres in Cynon.

Where are the foodbanks?

Gurnos

Open Monday - Friday (9am-12pm)
Gurnos Christian Centre
26 Spruce Tree Grove
Gurnos
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 9AU

Aberaman

Open Fridays (10.30am-12pm)
Gateway Church Cymru
281 Cardiff Road
Aberaman
CF44 6YA

Cwmbach

Open Monday's 10am-12pm
Cornerstone Church Centre
Sion Terrace
Cwmbach
CF44 OAS

Mountain Ash

Open Thursdays (10.30-12pm)
Cynon Valley Church
The Lighthouse
369 Fernhill
Mountain Ash
CF45 3EW

Cwmaman

Open on Wednesdays (10am-12pm)
Hope Church (Formerly Moriah Aman Christian Centre)
Fforchaman Road (Opposite the Post Office)
Cwmaman
CF44 6NS

Abercynon

Open on Tuesdays (11am-1pm) - Collection only
St. Donat’s Church
Aberdare Road
Abercynon
CF45 4NY

Pontypridd

What Pontypridd foodbank currently needs

  • Tinned fruit
  • Tinned cold meats (cooked ham, corned beef etc)
  • Tinned meat meals (chicken curry, minced beef, stews etc)
  • Tinned fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna etc)
  • Tinned vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes)
  • Tinned rice pudding
  • Tinned soup
  • Instant noodles
  • Biscuits
  • Jams and other spreads
  • Deodorants
  • Toothpaste

How do I donate food items?

Donations can be made at the Riverside Day Centre during their weekday opening hours or shoppers visiting Sainsbury's or Tesco Extra in Pontypridd can donate food at the in-store collection points.

Where are the foodbanks?

Pontypridd

Open Monday -Friday (9am-2pm), Saturdays (10am-12 noon)
Riverside Day Centre
Nile Street
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1BW

Rhondda

What Rhondda foodbank currently needs

  • Long Life Juice – Non Refrigerated
  • Tin Fish
  • Tin Fruit
  • Tin carrots
  • Packet smash
  • Strong carrier bags

How do I donate food items?

Items purchased in ASDA Tonypandy, Morrisons or the Co-op can be donated in store and placed the Foodbank Trolley. Donations are also accepted in the four Rhondda foodbanks.

Where are the foodbanks?

Tylorstown

Open Mondays (10am-12pm) and Fridays (1.30pm-3pm)
Arts Community Church
236-237 East Road
Tylorstown
CF43 3DA

Tonypandy
Open Wednesdays (10am-12pm)
Hope Church Rhondda (Accessible via the bottom car park)
Unit 1-2 Dunraven Street
Tonypandy
CF40 1AN

Ty Newydd

Open Fridays (2pm-3pm)
Blaenycwm Chapel
Wyndham Street
Ty Newydd
CF42 5BT

Pentre

Open Thursdays (10.30am-12pm)
Salvation Army
Carne Street
Pentre
CF41 7LQ

How can I get food from a foodbank?

A valid foodbank voucher is needed to redeem an emergency food parcel. Professionals, like doctors, health visitors, social workers, and Citizens Advice, will be able to refer you to a food bank and give you a food bank voucher if they think you need emergency food.

Once you have been given a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days’ emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.

If you need a foodbank voucher, contact the free Citizen Advice helpline on 0808 2082138, or click here for more information.

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