Help is being sought with the new Somer Valley Foodbank, which is being set up to support families and individuals in need of food during financial hardship.
During September almost 40 people from community groups, councils and churches attended an information meeting at Ammerdown Conference Centre to find out more about the project, and how they can get involved.
Now organisers are specifically looking for help with warehouse space and transporting goods.
Revd Matthew Street, Leader of the St J’s Group of Anglican churches in Peasedown St John, Wellow, Shoscombe and Foxcote, is supporting the project. He said: “If anyone has spare warehouse capacity that they would be prepared to donate to the Foodbank on an ongoing basis we would love to hear from them. Foodbanks provide three days of food to people who need it the most.”
“How the initiative works is that professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, the CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher.”
The voucher can be taken can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre where the food has been collected through donations, or from volunteer supermarket collections.”
As the official launch in January draws closer, help is also needed to transport food products. Revd Street added: “We specifically need a transit type van for 1st December to collect donated food from a number of major supermarkets. This will be a great help is making sure the scheme is up and running for the new year.”
If anyone can help please contact Joy Fraser on 01761 433644.
Since 2000, over 250 Foodbanks have been established around the county to provide food in times of crisis. The national goal is to have one established in every town and village. Last year they fed 128,687 people nationwide, 100% more than the previous year. Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to Foodbanks for help.
