Empowering Choice and Efficiency: How West Cheshire Food Bank Uses Huggg to Support Families in Crisis

Overview
West Cheshire Food Bank part of the Trussell Trust network, plays a vital role in addressing food poverty in Cheshire by providing emergency food support to individuals and families in crisis. Their commitment extends beyond short-term aid—they seek to enhance long-term resilience for the community members they serve.

Why Huggg?
West Cheshire Food Bank sought a solution that could streamline their processes and empower those they support with choice and flexibility. The shift to using the Huggg platform has brought convenience and flexibility to both recipients and referral partners.

One of WCFB's referral partners said:
"The convenience of it is a big thing, especially for families that maybe live out of the way a little bit, and they might not have a food bank near them."

The vouchers provide a fast and direct way to offer support. Another referral partner shared:
"It can go direct to the family within minutes."

A New Experience for Beneficiaries
For many recipients, Huggg vouchers provide not only essential support but also the opportunity to choose their own meals. One voucher recipient shared:
"It was straightforward – you just scan the barcode (when paying for a supermarket shop) and it does it automatically."

Transforming Distribution
The digital voucher scheme could reshape how the food bank operates. A report from the University of Chester highlighted the potential for Huggg to reduce the need for large food warehouses:
"The voucher scheme would take away from the need for the food banks to have big warehouses or to be growing in size. We could maybe reduce, so that we could distribute partly through the voucher system, and partly through a food system. It might reduce the physical need for the distribution, and therefore it has a certain greener element to it too."

Real Impact
The impact of Huggg’s solution is reflected in the time saved for referral partners, who can now focus more on supporting clients rather than managing complex requests. The feedback from both referral partners and recipients has been overwhelmingly positive.

A Positive Shift in Support Delivery
The introduction of Huggg has created a more positive experience for families receiving support. As one referral partner observed:
"It’s really changed the way it’s rolled out and given to families – it’s much more positive for them."

Looking Ahead
West Cheshire Food Bank is committed to continuing their innovative approach to food support. By leveraging Huggg’s digital solution, they aim to further enhance efficiency, reduce operational strain, and maintain a greener, more sustainable way of supporting those in need.

Key Takeaways

1. Recipient-Centered Approach: Beneficiaries appreciate the flexibility to shop for their preferred meals.
2. Convenient and Fast Support: Digital vouchers provide families with essential support almost instantly.
3. Operational Efficiency: The voucher system has the potential to reduce the need for physical food storage and distribution.
4. Improved Experience: Referral partners note a more positive process for families receiving help.

Find out more about how to use Huggg in your food bank or charity here.