Food bank in short supply due to needs (From Ledbury Reporter)

Food bank in short supply due to needs

11:00am Friday 18th January 2013 in News By Gary Bills-Geddes

LEDBURY Food Bank, which was only launched in November, really proved its worth over the festive period.

A total of 15 emergency parcels were handed out to needy local families and individuals in need of a meal, with a further 62 people receiving enough food for three days and a further 20 boxes of food handed out to the elderly at the Ledbury Day Centre.

Now a new year appeal has been launched for items that are currently in short supply.

Ledbury Food Bank spokesman David Kirkham said: “All this activity means some of our food stocks need to be replenished. While we still have plenty of tinned soup, baked beans, pasta and tomatoes, we particularly need children’s cereal, fruit juices, tinned custard, tea, sugar, sponge puddings and drinking chocolate.

“Washing powder, toilet rolls and kitchen rolls would also be welcomed."

Collection points are located in Ledbury churches, most village churches, in the town council office and in the Herefordshire Information Point at the Master’s House.

He said the food bank made “a real difference”

over the festive period, “to families, the elderly and single folk who had to cope with split families, loneliness or delayed benefits.”

He said: “For some, basic facilities that others take for granted are simply not there.

“The many generous gestures of goodwill from individuals and organisations meant that we could offer a wide choice of foodstuffs and also many personal and household necessities.”

The food bank is on the first floor of St Katherine’s Hall.

It is open from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

For immediate help people can call 01531 633357 or 01531 633643 Anyone unable to take gifts of food and essentials to a collection point should call 01531 637227, and they will be picked up.