Missed-call text back
Nobody who needs food should be met with a ringing phone
Most food banks are run by volunteers, and the phone rings when nobody is there to answer it. The people calling are often at their lowest point. This service makes sure every one of those calls gets an immediate, useful reply instead of silence.
The problem this solves
- Calls come in outside your opening hours, when there is no one to pick up.
- People in crisis rarely call twice. A missed call is often a family that goes without.
- Volunteers spend hours repeating the same opening times and referral information.
How it works
1.We set it up around your existing number
No new phone, no new handset and nothing for your volunteers to learn. Your number stays exactly as it is.
2.Any missed call triggers an instant text
The caller receives a short, plain English message with your opening times, how to get a referral and where to bring donations.
3.You can reply if you want to
Replies come back to a simple inbox. If nobody replies, the caller still has the information they needed.
What changes for your food bank
- People asking for food get an answer straight away, day or night.
- Fewer repeat calls and fewer wasted journeys to a closed centre.
- Volunteers spend their time on food, not on the phone.
Want to talk it through?
Tell us about your food bank and we will explain plainly what this would look like for you, what it costs and whether it is worth it. No pressure and no jargon.
Get in touchOther support services
These are paid services provided by foodbanks.co.uk. They are entirely separate from the directory. Nothing you pay for changes how any food bank is listed or described.