Town foodbank struggles to cope as demand soars

NUNEATON foodbank volunteers have been forced to use precious funds to buy large amounts of supplies as they struggle to meet enormous demand.

The foodbank has seen a 99.34 per cent year on year increase in the numbers of people asking for emergency food parcels.

Alarmingly, it has already fed more children in the seven months from April 1 than the whole of last year.

With the traditionally busy winter and Christmas period on the horizon, David Stanier, chair of the food bank, said the organisation needs more help than ever with numbers expected to rise further.

“We have, in common with foodbanks across the country, been struggling to source enough food to meet the increased demand, which is nearly twice the amount we had to send out to our centres last year,” he said.

“Before this recent Harvest period we were having to buy large amounts of food in order to make up food parcels. We are really thankful and appreciative of the help of lots of people in the local community who have been making regular financial donations through our Just Giving, by standing order or through church collections.

“This financial support has been a lifeline for us, and we really need and value this ongoing help.” While demand has been unprecedented, the foodbank has been given a boost - in the shape of a permanent new home. Having been unable to continue to use its previous warehouse, the foodbank was using the Fife Street Free Methodist Church as a temporary warehouse.

But now it has a new base at Centenary Business Centre in Hammond Close, Attleborough Fields.

“We really appreciate the help and support given to us, especially by Luke Pulford from Warwickshire County Council, and by the many businesses and organisations in the Business Centre, who are going out of their way to help us at Nuneaton Foodbank,” David added.

The warehouse is open for donations from 9.30 until 12.00 on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays.

What is needed right now: UHT milk, pasta sauce, tinned spaghetti/loops. Custard - tins or cartons. Rice pudding. Tinned fruit. Coffee. Tinned potatoes. Instant mash. Puddings. Cereals. Jam. Squash. Fruit juice. Tinned fish. Tinned tomatoes. Tinned carrots. Crisps. Dog food. Toilet rolls. Shampoo. Washingup liquid. Washing powder. Nappies size 5 and 6. Shaving foam/gel.

Food and toiletries can be donated at drop off points in Asda Nuneaton, Sainsbury’s, Attleborough Co-op Bulkington Co-op, Galley Common Co-op and also Dunelm Mill in Nuneaton.