Food bank a hit as 100 parcels given (From Ledbury Reporter)

Food bank a hit as 100 parcels given

1:00pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Gary Bills-Geddes

THE launch of food bank collections for Ledbury has got off to a flying start with more than 100 parcels of food being donated already.

They were donated at last Sunday’s Harvest Festival in St Michael and All Angels Church.

Collection spokesman, church steward David Kirkham said: “We’ve been quite overwhelmed with the large amounts of food we got. It covered three large tables.”

He said he had transported much of the food from the church to the storage point, St Katherine’s Hall, in his Volvo estate car.

He said: “It more or less filled it!”

He added: “The aim of the Ledbury food bank is to provide support to those who, for whatever reason, experience shortterm hunger.

“A sudden crisis, caused by serious illness, family breakdown, unexpected bills or a failure in the benefits system can affect almost anyone.”

The food bank aims to help those who face the harsh dilemma of choosing between heating their homes or eating as winter approaches.

From November, agencies such as social services, community midwives, Ledbury Children’s Centre and Ledbury Primary School will issue vouchers which will be exchanged for food at St Katherine’s Hall.

Collection points for food donations will include all local churches, Herefordshire Council offices in the Master's House on St Katherine's car park and Ledbury Town Council offices in Church Lane.

Town mayor Phil Bettington said: “I was in the church on Sunday for the harvest festival and we had a hell of a lot of people bringing food in.

“And on Tuesday I saw a lot of people taking more food from their car boots to St Katherine’s Hall. It’s been going pretty well.”