The coordinators of the Somer Valley Foodbank have released details of the number of people who have benefited from the community welfare project since it was launched in January, which has been set up to help people in food crisis.
Since its launch on 8th January a total of 466 people have been fed after visiting one of the distribution centres in Peasedown St John, Radstock or Midsomer Norton. 246 of these were adults, with the remainder being under 18 years of age.
Revd Matthew Street, the Leader of St John’s Church in Peasedown St John said: “These figures show how much of a positive impact the Foodbank is having. These are four-hundred and sixty-six real people who would have struggled otherwise.”
In total, more than 8,500 kilos of food has been donated over the last 5 months from a series of supermarket collections at Tesco’s in Midsomer Norton and RADCO in Radstock, and from the generosity of 18 churches and other organisations.
Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to people who need it the most. Professionals such as health visitors, social workers and the CAB identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher.
The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre where a friendly team of volunteers will offer a cup of tea and help people with their food needs.
With more than 100 volunteers collecting and transporting food, helping in distribution centres, and providing support to those who visit, the Somer Valley Foodbank is one of the biggest volunteer-led projects in Bath and North East Somerset.
Matthew added: “One of the ways people are helping us, and ensuring that we can continue to feed people for another five months, is by giving a home to a food collection bin.
“Any school, church or community organisation is welcome to have one for free if they feel they have the potential to collect large amounts of non-perishable food for us.
“So many more have said they’d like to get involved or help where they can, but time doesn’t often permit them to do so. Thanks to these collection bins that can be placed in a variety of venues, even more people can lend a helping hand.”
Of the 466 people who have received help, almost a third did so because they were in debt, 37% because of delays to their benefits and 17% attended a Foodbank distribution centre due to benefit changes.
To register for a food collection bin contact The Ammerdown Centre who receive enquiries for Somer Valley Foodbank: 01761 433709 or visit the new Somer Valley Foodbank website: www.somervalley.foodbank.org.uk
