Food and crisis support services
Foodbanks
Isle of Wight Foodbank (Trussell)
If you're in crisis and need food, you can ask for a Foodbank referral from:
- your GP Surgery
- your local school
- your social worker
You can also find more referral partners on the Isle of Wight Foodbank website.
Find Foodbank locations and opening times:
Independent Foodbanks
Ventnor Community Foodbank is open to any Island resident in crisis — no referral needed.
Opening times: Tuesday’s 2pm to 5pm and Thursday’s 10am to 12pm.
Address: Ventnor Community Foodbank in Victoria Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1ES
Wroxall Foodbank is open to residents in crisis living in their community.
Opening times: Monday’s and Thursdays 8.30am to10.30am
Address: based within the kitchen at Stenbury Hall. Stenbury Hall, Station Road, Wroxall, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DP
The entrance to the foodbank is through the left side of the building, directly into the kitchen.
More places to get help with food
Free Food in The Bay
You can visit Free Food on Lake High Street, where end-of-day food from supermarkets is collected and given away to people in need within the community.
- in addition to this, emergency crisis boxes containing food and toiletries are delivered directly to individuals facing urgent hardship
- for those who are homeless or without money for food, crisis boxes valued at £25 are available.
- meals are also prepared using donated ingredients, packaged in microwave containers, frozen, and made available for just £1 each. A fridge freezer in the shop is stocked with items that customers can browse and purchase affordably.
Opening times: Free Food is open 10.30am to 2.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Address: Free Food in the Bay Lake High Street, Lake, Isle of Wight, PO36 9PL
Help Through Crisis
The Help Through Criss team offer support to Island residents in need, with the cost of food.
You can contact them by:
- apply online by completing an application form: IsleHelp - Help Through Crisis
- phone 01983 684684 or 01983 309309 to ask for a call-back
SupperReady– free food packs for College Students
If you attend IOW College, UKSA, CECAMM, or Platform One on a full-time basis (at least 3 days a week) and receive Free College Meals, you can get a free food parcel to take home. Food parcels are available at collection points within your provision, and will provide you with an age-appropriate, nutritionally balanced meal for when you get home after the college-day.
These parcels are:
- easy to make
- include 3 meals
- have a long shelf life
- available during term time only
- you can pick them up from your college’s collection point
Email for information: team@supperready.com
Supermarket vouchers - starting from 9 June 2025
Island residents who are facing financial difficulties will be able to apply for a £25 supermarket voucher through one of several delivery partners.
How to apply:
- To receive a voucher, you’ll need to complete an application form. (Not available until 9 June 2025)
- If your application is approved, you’ll be referred to an organisation that can help address the root causes of your financial hardship.
- It’s essential that you engage with this support service, as it’s a required part of the scheme. If you don’t, you’ll be asked to repay the value of the voucher.
If you are not receiving Local Council Tax Support, you can apply for up to three vouchers between June 2025 and March 2026. However, you can only receive one voucher at a time, and there must be at least eight weeks between each application to allow time for you to work with the support organisation.
If you are receiving Local Council Tax Support and are of working age, you can apply for up to two vouchers during the same period. You’ll also automatically receive a Sainsbury’s voucher in July. As with others, you can only receive one voucher at a time, with a minimum of eight weeks between applications.
If you are of pensionable age and receiving Local Council Tax Support, you can apply for one voucher during the application window. Additionally, you will automatically receive £25 Sainsbury’s vouchers in both July and November.
It is important to be honest in your application. Failing to disclose relevant information is considered fraud and will be investigated. Any vouchers received beyond your eligibility will need to be repaid.
Apply for vouchers through the following organisations:
- Citizens Advice (including drop-in sessions) – 01983 684684 - please make an appointment before you visit.
- Living Well & Early Help - including drop-in sessions – 01983 240732 - please make an appointment before you visit.
- Newport Help Centre at County Hall – 01983 23134 - please make an appointment before you visit.
- Your Children’s Services Social Worker
- Your child’s school - for statutory school-age students
- Isle of Wight College - if your child attends the college
- Adult Social Care Out of Hours Team – 01983 821105
- Commissioner and Projects Officer - during drop-in sessions only
Vouchers can be used at:
Asda,
Aldi, Iceland, Food Warehouse, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, or a
Community Pantry