The Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust is a British charity that works to end the need for food banks in the UK.
It supports a network of over 1,200 food bank centres to provide emergency food and compassionate, practical support to people in crisis, while campaigning for long-term change to the structural issues that lock people into poverty
The charity is also calling on the UK government to ensure Universal Credit covers essential costs such as food, travel and household bills
What is The Trussell Trust?
Primarily, the Trussell Trust works to support its hundreds of food banks up and down the UK.
It helps to provide emergency food and supplies to those in need.
The charity’s mission is to end hunger in the UK altogether though.
The Trussell Trust was founded in 1997 by Paddy and Carol Henderson using a legacy left by Carol’s mother, Betty Trussell.
Initially, the charity worked in Bulgaria to improve conditions for children sleeping at Sofia Central Railway Station.
In 2000, they began to work in the UK too, opening the first food bank in their home city of Salisbury after they were contacted by a British mother who was struggling to feed her children.
Food bank centres in the Trussell Trust network account for roughly two-thirds of all emergency food bank provision in the UK.
Nationwide food bank network
Today, the Trussell Trust supports over 1,200 food bank centres across the UK, providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, food banks in the network provided almost 3 million food supplies to people in crisis, a 37% increase on the previous year.
In 2018–19, food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network distributed 1.6 million food bank parcels to people in crisis – a 19% increase on the previous year. Over half a million of these parcels went to children. In the last five years, food bank use in the Trussell Trust network has increased by 73%
Research and advocacy
The Trussell Trust also works to create change in society and politics.
It is calling for a future without food banks. The Trussell Trust has said to the government: “We need a benefits system that works for everyone and secure incomes so people can afford the essentials like food and heating.”
It has used evidence from its experience of working with food banks, speaking to users and networks across the country to call for change.
How you can support The Trussell Trust
You can support the charity in a number of ways if you would like to.
Here we break down the ways you can best help out.
Fundraise in support of The Trussell Trust
You can directly fundraise for the charity yourself.
By creating a fundraiser on behalf of the charity, you can explain exactly why you want to fundraise and why you’re passionate about supporting this cause.
Make a donation
You can also donate to the charity through GoFundMe.
Donate to the Trussell Trust
Volunteer
There’s several in-person volunteer opportunities.
You can volunteer directly to support The Trussell Trust. They have several positions people can help out in, including helping out at food banks.
Donate food
You can also donate at food banks.
You can donate food and other items to the Trussell Trust foodbanks or at supermarket drop-offs.
The Trussell Trust fundraisers GoFundMe
So many great fundraisers have been created on GoFundMe to raise funds for the Trussell Trust.
If you’re ever in need of inspiration, here’s some examples of successful fundraisers.
MUFC + MCFC Fans Supporting Foodbanks
Rival fanbases of Manchester City and Manchester United got together and managed to raise more than £60,000 for The Trussell Trust in a massive fundraising achievement.
Ian Patterson and Duncan Drasdo said they were inspired by the 19 Trussell Trust food banks operating in Manchester.
Ivybridge & District Foodbank Fundraising
This fundraiser raised thousands for a specific food bank, the Ivybridge and District food bank.
It’s possible to raise funds for a local food bank that you’re interested in supporting.
This fundraiser went on to raise more than £7,000.
61 percent campaign for The Trussell Trust
The 61 percent fundraiser was launched after the charity warned it could see its services increase by that amount during the pandemic.
Kate Wafer and five others set themselves the challenge of taking on different physical activities to raise cash and ended up raising thousands of pounds.
Fundraise to help end hunger in the UK
Feeling inspired? You could fundraise yourself for the Trussell Trust.
By setting up your own fundraising page on GoFundMe, you can take the first step towards making a difference.