Our History & Founding Story
A journey of compassion, community, and hope.
Carpenters Food & Support began as a simple but urgent response from local Christian churches who saw families in South Bristol going hungry and felt compelled to act. Inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me food”, a small group came together with a shared goal that no one in our community should face crisis alone.
At the same time, Bristol City Council ward data revealed the scale of the challenge: half of BS13 fell within the most deprived 10% of the UK population, and half of that again within the most deprived 4%. What started as a grassroots act of compassion, rooted in faith and a commitment to justice, has grown into a lifeline for thousands across South Bristol and the Chew Valley.
While our roots are Christian, our doors and our hearts are open to everyone. We welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and circumstances to be part of a compassionate movement that puts people first.
2011
Recognising a Growing Need
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St Pius Xth Church and Withywood Church noticed a sharp rise in requests for food support.
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The Trussell Trust and The Matthew Tree Project convened a meeting to explore new foodbank options which members of the Churches attended.
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A Christmas pilot scheme provided food for 22 children and their families from St Pius Xth Catholic Primary School, laying the foundation for future action.
2012
A Vision is Born
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A clear need for a sustainable, community-led foodbank emerged.
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A small team formed from churches and the wider community. The Churches Together provided encouragement and a financial grant with The Matthew Tree Project providing training and resources.
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The model included referrals from agencies, weekly food sessions, and ongoing support to help clients move toward independence.
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The Withywood Centre, became the project’s base, offering access to complementary services like debt advice and health visitors.
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Early fundraising came from churches and creative events — including pantomime guests donating food to the treasure chest!
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Storage was limited to corners of the church vestry and a damp, noisy metal shed; every inch was used.
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Carpenters FoodStore was founded, named after Rev Judith Carpenter, retiring vicar of Withywood Church.
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On 27th June, the Lord Mayor of Bristol attended the Grand Opening
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On 4th July: the foodbank opened, becoming one of Bristol’s first!
2013 - 2014
Building Foundations
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The Kevin Ney Legacy from the Sacred Heart, Chew Magna enabled expansion into BS39, BS40, and BS41.
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Public awareness was raised through talks in schools and community groups and through supermarket collections which also became vital for supplementing stock
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The first memorial bequest was received, marking the start of several heartfelt legacies.
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A 10ft x 12ft shed was donated and later fitted with electricity, improving storage and working conditions.
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Volunteer teams grew, partnerships strengthened, and referral systems improved.
2015 - 2016
Going Independent
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After 2.5 years, we became an independent non-profit, re-branding as Carpenters Food & Support with a new volunteer-designed logo.
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Services expanded to include tailored advice, holistic support, and signposting to local initiatives.
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Emmaus House Retreat Centre donated a fridge, enabling fresh food provision for the first time.
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Harvest Festivals and supermarket collections sustained the project beyond Christmas.
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Pet food was added to the wanted list after a client highlighted the cost of heating versus feeding a cuddly pet which also provided companionship.
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A community appeal for a bicycle enabled a client to accept a new job.
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Christmas sessions became a cherished tradition, filled with gifts, food, and joy.
2017 - 2019
Community Engagement
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Partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and local councils deepened, involving over 50 referral agencies, while pupils and youth groups regularly visited to sort donations.
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5K Partnership membership connected us with other food projects. Volunteers and clients went on local TV / radio, raising awareness.
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Roll-out of Universal Credit created income gaps, which led to increased demand. In response, Centre Staff stepped up to help by issuing prepared Emergency packs outside regular hours.
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The shed was broken into! Bristol Bears rugby club came to the rescue, moving stock so it could be repaired and insulated by Poplar Insulation. In addition, the Sartan Club provided extra storage during busy periods.
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Weekly supplies of day-old but edible bread, cakes, and vegetables were sourced from supermarkets.
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Over 30 people ‘staffed’ two major Christmas supermarket collections, and for the first time, over a metric tonne of food and festive items was distributed in a single session.
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New ward figures in 2019 showed deprivation remained high
2020
Responding to Crisis
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The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented demand.
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Operations adapted rapidly: the Centre closed to the public, an office was rented for extra storage, and the shed became overflow. Volunteers were split into two teams to ensure continuity if illness struck.
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Collaboration with South Bristol Advice Service allowed clients to collect food from their entrance door and furloughed delivery drivers made doorstep deliveries to isolating households.
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Packed lunches and treats were provided to the Centre’s NHS staff and key workers and extra activity bags were included for client’s families.
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With in-person donations limited, financial donations increased, enabling online food purchasing and direct deliveries to the Centre.
2021 - 2022
Advocacy and Empowerment
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Advocacy activities intensified, with increased participation at council events and involvement in policy debates. The project also contributed statistical data to national food bank records and university research.
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Our growing emphasis on empowerment, recognised clients as key contributors who actively shape services and informed decision-makers. Supporting individuals to take control of their circumstances with dignity.
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Funding secured annual membership to Fareshare, increasing access to fresh produce and ambient foods.
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Grants enabled continued rental of office space for weighing, sorting, and redistributing stock, while strong shelving units donated by St David Centre tenants improved storage capacity.
2023
Strengthening Systems
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Case management processes were updated for clarity and consistency.
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Staff and volunteers received refresher training to ensure continued compassionate, respectful support for all clients.
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Social media became a powerful tool for urgent appeals — including one for baked beans that reached a former local resident in New Zealand, resulting in a donation!
2024
A Movement of Hope
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Carpenters continued to grow, driven by faith, community spirit, and a commitment to justice.
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Centre reception staff supported donation drop-offs and signposted people to the foodbank
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By the end of 2024, the team had served people at 626 sessions since the beginning (with an annual two-week Christmas break).
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Hundreds of households across South Bristol and the Chew Valley were supported — not just with food, but with hope, dignity, and a pathway to a brighter future.
2025
Becoming a Registered Charity
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Carpenters Food & Support transitioned from a non-profit to a registered charity with three Trustees.
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This milestone opened new opportunities for grant funding and enabled supporters to give through Gift Aid.
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Volunteers continued to listen deeply, understand crises, offer practical support, and encourage independence.
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It is truly astounding to hear how quickly some clients can find themselves in crisis, but equally uplifting to have former clients who, after overcoming challenges like unemployment, debt, budgeting and even cooking, return to donate and support others. — a powerful testament to resilience, gratitude, and community.
A Story Still Being Written
From a small Christmas pilot to a registered charity supporting thousands, Carpenters Food & Support has always been shaped by compassion, faith, and community.
Our story continues — written every day by volunteers, donors, partners, and the people we serve.