Building Cash First into Operations

A cash first approach to food insecurity - prioritising raising income levels over the provision of food parcels or other in-kind support - is needed more than ever. It has become increasingly evident that food parcels can only act as sticking plasters and that charitable food aid can only ever temporarily alleviate the symptoms of poverty. While the logic behind a cash first approach is clear, it can be challenging in practice to build consensus amongst colleagues and supporters to implement this approach on the ground.

The section provides resources to help build the case for change. It includes a comprehensive introduction on a cash first to food insecurity and how it works, plus blogs and case studies on how food banks have built cash first approaches into food bank practice along with practical advice on how to source shopping vouchers or gift cards.

What is "Cash First"?

Balancing Objectives

Building Cash First Into the Conversation

Platforms for the purchase of shopping vouchers, gift cards or cash cards:

Evouchers

A flexible voucher system that was initially created to distribute grocery vouchers during school holidays and the COVID lock downs. Support is available in many different formats including postal vouchers delivered to the doorstep, retail vouchers and utility vouchers.

Charis Grants

The service is flexible and Charis are able to work with clients to provide for the unique needs of each organisation to make sure the right support is given to each individual.

Huggg

Huggg is a system that allows you to manage a wallet of funds to send digital grocery vouchers via text or email. The system allows the recipient to choose which supermarket they prefer to redeem the voucher at. Other voucher options include home essentials, clothing, school uniform, school essentials, energy and cash. All vouchers except energy and cash are free to use and there is no setup cost.

Voucher Express - VEX

Free to use - VEX provides supermarket gift cards, are available as physical gift cards, printed codes, email or SMS versions, and is targeted towards food, clothing and household essentials. They have an easy to use and adaptable platform linked to all the major supermarkets.

Find more information here.

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