A food bank is a place where donated food is distributed to those in need or an emergency. Many people in Dorset have been hit by the economic downturn, local people are experiencing a crisis that is not their fault such as changes in benefit, debt problems, divorce, sickness, bereavement, redundancy, rising food and fuel prices, low wages all leading to a rise in people turning to a food bank. Families who need to use the Food Bank can contact the Children's Centre direct or you can be referred by other organisations and professionals such as Citizen's Advice, schools, doctors and health visitors to access vouchers for foods.