TBBT saves members over £2 million and distributes 3.2 million meals across the north of England in 2020
TBBT collectively saved its members £2,116,581.50 in 2020 alone, with members saying they saved an average of £26.50 per week on their food budgets
83% of members say TBBT enables them to feed their families with 86% trying new foods they can’t normally access
97% say that TBBT is good for the community
The Bread and Butter Thing launched its inaugural impact report today at an online event hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst, with representatives from key suppliers, community partners and volunteers, alongside TBBT’s CEO, Mark Game. Together they charted the challenges and successes of The Bread and Butter Thing’s 2020, and outline the charity’s ambitious plans for 2021 and beyond.
Amongst the headline figures announced at today’s event are:
Together, TBBT members saved £2million in 2020 alone
83% say that using TBBT allows them to feed their families
On average a TBBT member will save £26.50 each week on their food budget.
91% say TBBT is really good value for money and 83% have money left over to buy more than the basics
TBBT distributed 3.2million meals through its 36 hubs during 2020
TBBT provides pre-packed shopping and the contents vary from week to week depending on what food is available. To ensure variety, there is always a bag of fruit and veg with every delivery. As a result:
86% of members have tried new foods,
77% cook more healthily at home, and
77% are eating more fruit and vegetables.
TBBT never works in isolation. It always works with community partners and members are drawn from that local community. It’s partner hubs report increased footfall with more people from the area feeling comfortable to attend.
97% of members say that TBBT is good for the community.
69% of members say that they are less lonely, and
76% feel more engaged with their local community.
Mark Game, TBBT CEO said: “These figures demonstrate the power of using affordable food to create a service that does more than just put food on the table. TBBT also improves diet diversity with every delivery containing a full bag of fruit and veg. We also help build more resilient communities by providing the foundations for stronger networks between neighbours and involving other service partners – such as energy suppliers or mental health advisors – to offer our members support in other areas of life too.”
Members like Paula in Manchester who said: "Never in a million years did I think I would be in a situation where I had to choose between food or bills because money was so tight. I am 53 years old, have worked since I was 14, and never claimed benefits until October 2020 due to COVID. We managed to stay afloat from March 2020 without work or income but then things became too much. A neighbour's daughter told us about TBBT and it has been a life saver. Not just the food but the knowing that there is always something coming every week. THANK YOU so much.”
Or Katrina in Darlington who said: "I've been a TBBT member since the hub started in Firthmoor. It's a real highlight getting the posh brands, stuff I would never be able to buy in the supermarket and the TBBT ready meals are fantastic. With the money I've saved it helps towards the bills massively but I've bought more stationery and things to keep my daughter entertained whilst we are stuck indoors. TBBT has been a lifeline to me and my family - the work you do is amazing and I'd like to say thanks so much to the staff and volunteers that go out of their way for people like me."
In April 2020 alone, TBBT saw a 460% increase in need year-on-year as it worked to support it members as well as Manchester City and Darlington Borough Councils' emergency COVID responses. During the following months to December, membership grew from 8,000 to 14,000 members and it served the equivalent of 3.2m meals, with a 239% growth in demand across the year. Between March and December, TBBT opened 11 new hubs, taking it to 36 in total, including new locations in Darlington and County Durham where our second warehouse opened in November.
TBBT has big plans for the future. It has more than 20 new hubs opening in 2021 with seven already operational with two in new location Hartlepool, three in County Durham, as well as new openings in Oldham and Darlington. Further locations in Salford, Tameside, Durham and Darlington will all follow. With the support of food industry and logistics partners TBBT will have at least 100 community partners in place by 2022 with more beyond.
Mark Game, TBBT CEO said: “2020 has been a year like no other, presenting significant challenges for everyone, particularly our members and the communities we serve. I'm proud that with the support of our partners and suppliers, with the boundless enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers, and with the dedication and determination of our staff, The Bread and Butter Thing has risen to the challenge, not missing a single delivery all year. And we face 2021 in the confirmed knowledge that we have the power to change lives at a time when more people than ever need our support.”
The full report can be found here: http://tbbt-impact4.surge.sh
To watch the launch of our Impact Report, hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst: The Bread and Butter Thing - YouTube
NB: All data taken from TBBT’s annual member survey, completed in November 2020. Over 4000 members took part, 71% of them new to TBBT.