My Food Bank Finder is a system designed to make the process easier for those who use food banks in any capacity.
Formed in December 2019, founder Dominic Lipscombe decided to set up the project after seeing in the news that a current MP charges food banks to use their software. Deciding this was not acceptable, the team are currently in the process of setting up a system that will be completely free to use.
My Food Bank Finder will be supporting food banks and their users through the use of tools available on both a mobile and web app. Simple and easy to use, users can find their nearest food banks by inputting their postcode. The results will bring back various food banks with required information. The website is due to launch in May 2020, for now there is a quick food bank finder in place if needed urgently during COVID-19 https://myfoodbankfinder.com/
During the coronavirus epidemic the team have launched Help Bank Finder, to help support with the help of distributing PPE.
Help Bank Finder are now working on behalf of smaller organisations to pool orders together so they can meet minimum order quantities and bring down the price for everyone.
For bigger orders, they will be passing the buyer info directly to the relevant supplier.
The team said:
“While organising this, something really did hit us – we have so many groups of people contacting us who are paying for their own protection. This should not be happening – these people are saving lives.
They’re already being massively underpaid, so why are they being under-protected too?
As a general rule, we are against crowdfunding to help fund the NHS as it leaves the door wide-open for abuse to be underfunded in the future.
But that leaves us with a major dilemma- let the people saving lives pay to protect themselves and stick by this principle or, in these extraordinary times- break with this principle in order to do what we can.
Well – this isn’t about us – it’s about our Key Workers.
We are going to raise funds and put in a significant order so we can help those who spend their lives helping us.”
If you are a key worker in the following areas, please let Help Bank Finder know your needs using the link provided and they will be in touch.
- NHS Staff
- Vulnerable People Support Groups (Food Banks, Hostels, etc.)
Let us know about your PPE requirements here: https://bit.ly/uk-ppe
The team added:
“We will be pooling all the donated funds with the money we receive for private orders. This will allow us to negotiate considerably better prices of which we’ll pass on to the people who are relying on us for their PPE.
If you wish to join our pool, please email ppe@myfoodbankfinder.com. When emailing us please send from your work email or include a copy of your work ID. If you are a self-employed key worker, please show us a recent bill or HMRC letter along with another form of ID.
We are doing this free and making no money at all- we just want to help.
Let’s help those who dedicate their lives to helping us.”
If you are a supplier e.g. factory or direct distributor, please get in touch using board@myfoodbankfinder.com with a product list and verifiable, high-quality client list so Help Bank Finder can add you to their list.
To make a donation to help raise money to buy PPE for key workers visit https://donorbox.org/uk-ppe
Follow social media updates https://twitter.com/myfbfapp
