Food Bank Trustee

Food Bank Trustee

Trustee/Governor
J103831
At a glance

Skills

  • Strategic development and planning
  • General / operations management
  • Market research

Where

Maidstone, ME15 6LP
Mainly at home
Travel limit? Volunteers should live within 10-15 Miles from Maidstone

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
1-3 hours / week
Trustee Meetings - 5pm-7pm, 2nd Tuesday of month. Trustee may also need to meet staff during working hours to foster a collaborative relationship.

Deadline

31 May 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

Care about food justice and community support? 

Join Maidstone Homeless Care as our Food Bank Trustee! Help shape the future of a vital service that feeds families in crisis. Use your skills to make a difference where it’s needed most.

What will you be doing?

Maidstone Homeless Care (MHC) is seeking a strategic, committed individual to join our Board of Trustees as the lead for our Food for Thought Food Bank. This voluntary role is an opportunity to support and shape a vital service that provides essential food and supplies to people facing crisis in Maidstone.

Where We Are NowOur Food Bank is a core part of our charity’s work, supporting individuals and families at risk of food insecurity. With rising living costs and increased demand, the service is under pressure. The board’s goal is to ensure that the food bank remains sustainable, efficient, and resilient - able to meet the growing needs of our community despite fluctuating resources.

We are seeking a trustee who can bring energy, insight, and strategic thinking to support long-term planning, while also offering practical guidance to the team on the ground.

About the RoleAs the Food Bank Trustee, you’ll work closely with the Day Centre Manager, fellow trustees, staff and volunteers to ensure our service is well-run and future-focused. You’ll support the delivery of day-to-day operations, help set strategic goals, and advise on risks, resources, and opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

  • Help develop a long-term vision for the Food for Thought initiative
  • Work with the board and Manager to set meaningful goals and KPIs

Operational Oversight

  • Ensure standard procedures are documented and followed
  • Support the definition and delivery of clear volunteer roles

Risk & Resource Management

  • Identify and advise on risks affecting food supply or operations
  • Help maintain a steady stream of donations and effective distribution

Governance & Leadership

  • Act as the board’s lead on food bank matters
  • Ensure compliance with procedures, policies, and legal requirements

This hands-on trustee role requires around 10 hours per month, including board meetings (typically the second Tuesday, 5–7pm). Training and support are provided. 

Join us and help feed your community in a meaningful, strategic way.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about food justice, community support, and making a hands-on difference in people’s lives. This role would suit someone with experience in project management, logistics, operations, food distribution, or community services - but equally, we welcome those with transferable skills and a strong interest in helping others.

You’ll be confident in thinking strategically while staying grounded in the practicalities of running a service. Whether you're advising on how to streamline operations, planning for future demand, or helping to maintain consistency in service delivery, your insight will be key to keeping the food bank effective and responsive.

Strong communication and collaboration skills are important, as you'll be working closely with the Day Centre Manager, other trustees, staff, and volunteers. You don’t need to be an expert in charity governance - we provide training and support - but you should be comfortable offering advice, asking questions, and contributing to group decisions.

You’ll also need to be dependable, values-driven, and willing to roll up your sleeves from time to time. Lived experience of hardship, food insecurity, or using support services is welcomed, as are applicants from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Skills and qualities that would suit this role include:

  • Experience in project delivery, food operations, logistics, or community services
  • Strategic thinking with a practical mindset
  • Good problem-solving and organisational skills
  • Strong communication and teamwork
  • Ability to offer advice, ask the right questions, and support good decision-making
  • Awareness of community needs and challenges
  • A commitment to dignity, fairness, and inclusion
  • Willingness to contribute time and energy to a meaningful cause

If you're looking for a rewarding way to give back, this role offers the chance to support a service that truly changes lives.

What difference will you make?

As Food Bank Trustee at Maidstone Homeless Care, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our food bank continues to serve those most in need - families and individuals facing real hardship in our community. With rising costs and increasing demand, your guidance will help us stay responsive, organised, and effective.

By shaping strategy, supporting our food bank team, and helping ensure smooth operations, you’ll be making a direct impact on how we deliver this essential service. Your input will help us secure food supplies, manage resources wisely, and reach more people in crisis with dignity and compassion.

This role will also influence the long-term sustainability of the Food for Thought initiative - ensuring we not only meet urgent needs today but are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. You’ll be supporting a team of dedicated staff and volunteers and strengthening one of the most trusted safety nets in Maidstone.

Your leadership will ensure that no one in our community is left without the help they need. It’s a chance to combine practical oversight with purpose - to feed hope as well as hunger.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance with a cover letter and CV detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form.

Causes
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Organisation type: 
    Charity

    In recent years, Maidstone, Kent, has faced a significant rise in homelessness and hardship among vulnerable families. The ongoing cost of living crisis has only worsened the situation, with...