Carmarthen Foodbank was set up by Towy Community Church, in partnership with The Trussell Trust, in September 2010. It officially opened in January 2011, running for just one day a week from a small office in Carmarthen Town Centre.

Towy Community Church then went on to open the Xcel Project in Johnstown, Carmarthen which is a social enterprise bringing investment, jobs and services to Carmarthen. In June 2013, they opened Xcel Bowl, a 12 lane ten-pin bowling alley, using the profits to fund other community projects such as Xcel Recycled Furniture, Xcel Community Shop and Carmarthen Foodbank. They are all situated on the same site.

Since re-opening as part of the Xcel Project in June 2013, Carmarthen Foodbank has fed over 9,000 people and become the fastest growing foodbank in Wales.

Manager of Carmarthen Food Bank and CCMA (Carmarthen Community Money Advice), Carolyn Yelland says that the aim of the charity is to support the local community at a time when they need it the most.

“No one 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.”

Across the Xcel project, there are many different projects. Carmarthen Foodbank works alongside Carmarthen Community Money Advice and they are both covered by the same management team, consisting of a manager and an assistant manager.  They work with approximately 25 volunteers across both services, a mixture of collection and delivery drivers, packers and sorters, support workers, money coaches and debt advisers.

Carolyn explains how the charity helps people in the local community, by going beyond giving food parcels and how the delivery of this has changed since the Covid 19 pandemic.

“As we offer emergency food parcels, we are meeting the direct need of people and families in our community. Our first concern is to make sure no one goes hungry. Our service does not stop there, so we have a team of support workers who listen to clients over a cuppa and signpost them to the appropriate support agencies. This element has not been possible face to face during Covid times, so we have been speaking to our clients over the phone. We opened our money and debt advice service (Carmarthen Community Money Advice) in December 2020, and now offer this direct support to those who are struggling with debt and do not have enough money left over to feed themselves.

Even in these difficult times, we have been able to support people. For example, a family of five received an emergency food parcel, then returned a few times. After a conversation with the client, it was revealed that debt was an issue and they needed support. The client worked through our debt advice service and is now working towards a solution and no longer requires support from Carmarthen Foodbank.”

Restrictions due to the pandemic has meant a reduction of staff and volunteers at the premises. Carolyn explains that during the second wave, the foodbank turned to a delivery-only service, enabling them to continue to support the most vulnerable people and those who needed help.

Clients receive the voucher number from their referral agency (e.g., CAB, Job Centre, Housing Officer, Health visitor etc), then ring our office to arrange a delivery slot. The food parcels are then delivered to the clients by our volunteers.”

Due to the latest changes to restrictions in Wales, they can open again within the next month, but for limited periods.

“We are due to open to clients from the beginning of June on Mondays and Fridays. We will still continue with deliveries to support those who cannot access public transport or have no access to any vehicle to collect the food parcel themselves, which would be on a Wednesday only.”

Although Carolyn says they haven’t seen an increase in people attending the foodbank or requesting their services since the Covid 19 pandemic, she points out that the rise, in the number of facilities for people who need it, would suggest otherwise.

 “There has been a greater provision of foodbanks that have opened to meet the increase demand across Carmarthen.”

Of course, the great work that they do is down to the staff and volunteers that help out on a day-to-day basis. Carolyn states that there are many ways people can get involved.

“There are lots of differences roles: sorting and packing food, making teas and coffees, listening to clients, delivering and collecting food. For those interested, please email carmarthenfoodbank@towychurch.co.uk and we can arrange a chat, to discuss the different roles that we have available.”

In regards to the future, Carolyn mentions some exciting developments for the Carmarthen area.

“We are affiliated with Trussell Trust and it is their vision to reduce the need for foodbanks. We are united in that vision and want to develop the support structures to help people who are struggling. As part of the Xcel project, we are looking to open a premises within Carmarthen at the end of June.”

In a statement issued to their support agencies, Carmarthen Food Bank recently announced that the premises will be in Unit 21/22 of Merlin’s Walk, Carmarthen and will be called Hwb Xcel Hub. They commented

“The Hub will give the Xcel Project a key town centre presence. It will also allow Towy Community Church, working in partnership with Bethel Church, to further extend the reach of our vision of reaching people, changing lives. Furthermore, it will provide an opportunity to engage other partner agencies such as yourselves in meeting the needs of our community.”

They intend for the new space to include a rest space, with access to a variety of information on support for life issues and someone to talk to as a listening ear. People may receive prayer, if requested, and there is an interview area for informal discussions and introduction to the services of Carmarthen Community Money Advice (CCMA).

The area will also be available for partner agencies to hold surgeries, contain a private room for CCMA client interviews, children’s toy and game area (parent supervised), a static display of Xcel furniture with access to web site to browse items and place orders, a Community Shop selling clothing and bric-a-brac, as well as a Carmarthen Foodbank drop off and collection point.

In addition, there is space to hold a series of events, such as information sharing, school uniform, swap meet, Eat Well Spend Less etc. that can also be held in the evenings (subject to notice by the landlord.)

For more information visit http://Carmarthen.foodbank.org.uk