Demand continues to grow for foodbank

WORCESTER'S foodbank will open an extra day a week from December to meet the growing demand from hungry families.

Since opening its doors in June the centre on Carden Close has helped to feed more than 600 people, including 185 children.

As many as 45 people are coming to collect food parcels each day, which has persuaded volunteers to extend the centre's opening from two to three days a week.

Benefit delays, low incomes, crippling debts and unemployment are among the most common reasons why an increasing number of people are looking to foodbank to feed themselves and their families.

Project manager Ann-Marie Ison said she had been surprised at the surge in demand for their support since the summer.

"We have gone from about 15 people a day to as many as 45," she said.

"Some of these people haven't eaten for three or four days. We had one person last week who had gone from Sunday to Thursday without eating any food and had just drunk water."

The Asha Centre and other charities supporting vulnerable adults like Onside Advocacy have joined the growing list of agencies now able to distribute foodbank vouchers to people in crisis.

Each voucher can be exchanged for three days worth of food which can be collected from the centre.

Mrs Ison, who set up Worcester Foodbank with the backing of All Saints Church, said volunteers had been overwhelmed at the support they had received from local people.

More than 20 churches are now collecting food for the project along with schools including Christopher Whitehead Language College and the King's School, while collections at supermarkets have also proved successful.

But they still need more donations of non-perishable food, particularly UHT milk and sugar, and items can be left at the centre on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am to 2pm.

Donations can also be dropped off at St John-in-Bedwardine Church and St Peter's Baptist Church.

For more information on how to help email info@worcester.foodbank.org.uk or call 07928299887.

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