Fighting Hunger and Hardship in Pembrokeshire’

We are a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects of poverty for individuals and families within the county of Pembrokeshire.

Since June 2008 PATCH has been giving free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in a financial crisis in Pembrokeshire. We work closely with our referral agencies to help those that are experiencing hardship through perhaps a delay in benefits, fire, theft and escaping emergency situations.

PATCH has its roots in a similar charity in Southampton where one of our founders gained 8 years’ experience. The community of Pembrokeshire have embraced our project in an incredible way. “Pembrokeshire people helping their neighbour in need.”

We have set up a Basics Bank to provide for each individual’s needs when in an emergency situation. We work only on a referral basis, with those in need referred to us from outside agencies such as Health Workers, Support Agencies, CAB, Social Services, and the like. These agencies have Basics Bank vouchers to give to their clients who are in an emergency situation. People find themselves in financial crises for many reasons, including losing employment, waiting for benefits, homelessness, fire or marriage breakdown.

When a referral agent issues a client with one of our vouchers, they can bring it in to any of the basics bank venues when they are open, to exchange it for up to 5 days of food for the people provided for on the voucher. This will be a mix of tins, packets and boxed food. All of the non-perishable food, clothing and other items are donated by very generous people, businesses, churches and schools from all over the county. In 2017 we gave food parcels to benefit 3822 people, clothing to over 350 people and small household items to over 360 people. We also have food parcels held all over our county in referral agency offices.

To buy the food that we give out it costs us approximately:

• £42.00 to buy 5 days of food for a family of 4 people

• £19.00 to buy 5 days of food for a single person.

We also hold an annual Christmas Toy Appeal where again through the generosity of the people in Pembrokeshire and with the help of Radio Pembrokeshire, NatWest Bank and the local Tesco stores, we are able to give 4-5 new gender and age related gifts, with chocolates, art material and wrapping paper as well as a family interactive toy to each 0-17 year old referred. In 2017 we gave to 600 Children and Pembrokeshire Frame delivered to 200 families.

PATCH also need financial donations for running cost, utilities, and volunteer expenses. Click here for more details of how you can donate.

Charity Number 1124949

Company Number 6365713