300% increase in kids using food bank in a year...

Demand is ‘testing resilience’ of volunteers

THE number of children requiring the service of a food bank has more than tripled in a year.

Last month, 189 people were helped by Leek and District Foodbank. This includes 114 adults and 75 children.

The figures represent a sharp increase from April 2021, when 55 adults and 19 children were fed.

The total quantity of food issued was 2824.8kg. The food bank also issued 54.3kg of food to ASHA to support their vital work.

A further 71.3kg of food has also been issued in emergency food boxes, which are distributed as and when needed to people who are put into emergency accommodation, which can be any time during the day and night.

This ensures that food is always available to the clients even outside the foodbank opening hours.

Of the 85 vouchers received 46 were issued to clients due to low income, with a further 18 relating to benefit changes, benefit delays and debt.

Project manager Lindsey Stockton said: “The increased workload and the broad range of clients who are seeking our help is testing the emotional resilience of all our superb volunteers, but we’ll continue to do everything in our power to help those who come to us for as long as they need us.

“While we are extremely grateful to those who donate food, individuals and organisations, we are struggling to keep up with the demand and maintain good stock levels.

“A priority for us is to set up a robust regular ordering system with one or more of the local supermarkets, or a cash and carry, to avoid the need for the regular ‘supermarket sweeps’ which our volunteers have been undertaking.”

The food bank, which operates from Leek Gateway Church in West Street, is always pleased to receive any items from their standard shopping list with the exception of baked beans and pasta.

Items required include: milk, fruit juice, cereals, pasta sauces, sponge puddings, tinned tomatoes/vegetables /rice pudding, tea bags/instant coffee, instant mash potato, rice, tinned meat/ fish/potatoes, tinned fruit, jam, biscuits/ snack bars, toothpaste and toiletries, toilet rolls and kitchen rolls, razors and shaving foam, shampoo, shower gel and handwash, chocolate bars.

Donations are being taken at the food bank on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and noon.

Visit www.leekdistrict.foodbank.org. uk/give-help/donate-food for details.