Welcome to The Raft Foundation

We are a charity formed as a community group in 2012 to serve and support the

community of Rossendale, Lancashire.

Our projects to date include the only Rossendale based foodbank service.

This has been achieved through the incredible support of our colleague volunteers, faith

and community groups right across Rossendale as well as from our amazing business community

who continually support what we do.

Charity No: 1191272

The Raft Foundation runs Rossendale's Foodbank! The Raft Foundation was created in Rossendale, Lancashire by local people to assist families and individuals experiencing financial hardship.

The Raft Foundation was formed in Rossendale, Lancashire by local people to assist communities, families and individuals who are in crisis need within the Rossendale Valley.

Our projects currently include the provision and delivery of an independent 100% volunteer lead and managed foodbank service collecting and delivering to clients homes within the Rossendale Valley through individual, faith/community volunteer groups and local/national business donations.

We do not take self referrals but request potential clients engage with an appropriate referral agency who will work to ensure the appropriate intervention support is entered into.

Our policy is a maximum number of 6 parcels may be requested in 12 months for an individual or family.

We are pleased to confirm that our average re referral rate is 2.6 parcels, this we believe is a testament of the collaborative work entered into by the referral agency, ourselves and the client.

Our service provides individuals and families 7 day parcel and provides subject to donations:

Fresh fruit and vegetables Fresh milk, cheese and bread

Long life products, Cereals, Tinned goods, Rice/Pasta

Tea/Coffee, Fruit juices, Household cleaning products

Personal hygiene products,

Seasonal content (Christmas and Easter)

Nappies, Pet Food

The Rossendale Foodbank Model

Special requirements:

We adapt our food parcels to accommodate allergies/food intolerance, specials diets including vegetarian and parcels adapted to those clients who do not have cooking facilities such as cookers/hobs/microwave or slow cookers.

In addition where donations allow a street homeless rucksack pack is issued as required.

This pack consists of:

Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Torch, Gloves, Hat Socks

Fleece Food and drink items which do not require cooking facilities

Over 34 packs have been issued to street homeless clients in Rossendale.