New Year message from our Trustee & General Manager

Cobham Area Foodbank update

As we step into 2026, we would like to thank you all our friends, donors, supporters and volunteers for the continued kindness and commitment you show to Cobham Area Foodbank. Now in our 13th year, your support remains at the heart of everything we do and enables us to be there for local families when they need us most.

From the start of the financial year, we have supported 1,209 people in our community – including 829 adults and 380 children. During the calendar year, 22,342.63kg of food was generously donated through our collection points, with 23,250.17kg distributed to those facing crisis. With demand exceeding donations, financial contributions and essential food donations help us continue supporting local families when they need us most.

In the lead-up to Christmas, we were able to make up and donate 59 Christmas hampers (Christmas boxes) and additionally provide fresh food bags containing a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs bought from our local market in Stoke D’Abernon and meats (chicken and gammon) from Goss Brothers Butchers in Oxshott High Street. Thanks to you, many families were able to enjoy a more hopeful and dignified Christmas.

Thank you for standing with us and helping make a meaningful difference across our community.

Thank you to our volunteers and supporters

We are incredibly fortunate to be supported by a dedicated, friendly and flexible team of volunteers who keep the Foodbank running smoothly throughout the year. Their commitment and hard work ensure donations are carefully managed and distributed, even as the needs of local families continue to grow. Our heartfelt thanks go to each and every one of you.

We are also deeply grateful to the agencies and organisations that work alongside us to identify families in crisis and issue food vouchers. These include the Cobham Centre for the Community, PA Housing, Oasis, Esher Citizens Advice Bureau, Weybridge Jobcentre Plus, and many others. Their ongoing support helps ensure that people in our community receive timely and compassionate assistance.

Together, with your continued generosity and these vital partnerships, we are able to make a meaningful and lasting difference to so many lives.

Creativity and Community

A huge thank you to our wonderful Distribution Centre volunteer, Philly, for creating this beautifully imaginative Christmas tree.  It was displayed in the hall in St Martin’s Church, East Horsley from the 13th-20th December as part of their bi-annual Christmas Tree Festival, which attracted around 1,000 visitors during the week!

The tree was crafted entirely from recycled materials – including washed out-of-date tins, reused ribbons, tinsel and baubles and a donated recycled Christmas star – it was a real talking point!

Thank you to everyone involved for helping to spread joy and celebrate creativity and sustainability within the community.

How can you help us in 2026?

We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of our community, so a huge thank you for your continued support.

Urgent appeals
We currently have an urgent need for 1 litre long-life fruit juice and semi-skimmed milk, tinned meats and basic toiletries. Donations of these essential items are always very welcome.

Community events
We will be collecting donations at events throughout the year and will share details with you on our website and social channels.

To see our most up-to-date list of essential items, you can download the Bank the Food app using the QR code below. You can also follow us on Facebook or X, where we regularly share updates and priority needs. Donations can be made at collection points across the community, including local churches, supermarkets and Cobham Rugby Club.

For those that would like to make financial contributions, you can donate directly into our bank account.

Alternatively you can also donate financial contributions into our account with ‘Wonderful Organisation’ – more details here or you can scan this QR code: 

Did you know we also work with Elmbridge Lottery? Find out how here.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.  May 2026 bring health and happiness to you and those close to you.

Christina van Roest MA
Trustee & General Manager, Cobham Area Foodbank

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