URGENT PLEA TO HELP CITY FOODBANK

THERE’S continuing high demand on the city’s foodbanks due to the coronavirus pandemic - and people are being asked to donate where possible.

More and more people are in financial hardship, with many having to rely on foodbanks.

Over the past few days, a network of 10 Emergency Food Hubs have been set up across the city, to offer vital support to residents.

And Coventry Foodbank is continuing to support people in financial hardship by providing emergency food parcels and toiletries.

Food donation items currently needed include:

Tinned fruit, Tinned tomatoes, Toilet roll, Shower gel, Soap.

People are being asked to donate items of food at one of the Foodbank’s permanent collection points at each of the main supermarkets in the city. Their locations are:

Tesco: Arena, Crosspoint, Clifford Bridge Road, Canon Park.

Sainsbury’s: Canley, Court House Green.

Morrisons: Binley, Holyhead Road. Asda: Walsgrave, Whitley.

If you can’t get to your nearest supermarket collection point and still want to help, you can buy donations for Coventry Foodbank via the website Bankuet.

People who are struggling financially and don’t have any existing support from neighbours, family or friends can access the service, either by contacting Coventry City Council on 08085 834 333 or visiting the Emergency Food Network.

All donations - however small make a difference.

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “Due to the high demand particularly during this time, we are continuing to ask members of the public to help, by kindly donating tinned items of food and toiletries when they are out shopping.

“If you are able to donate food whilst shopping, you can still do this at a number of supermarkets in the city at the foodbanks regular collection points, which are listed below. By making a donation - however small - it will help to keep the foodbank stocked up and supplying communities all across Coventry.”

Coventry Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust foodbank network, which seeks to support people in financial crisis.

The co-ordination of the emergency hubs also involves the Council, Henley Green Community Centre, Feeding Coventry and Hope Coventry and many other partners, for supporting the development of the model and already delivering emergency food services across the city.

Support has also been provided by Severn Trent, City of Culture, both Coventry University and the University of Warwick, the Fire Service and the Diocese of Coventry.