Tributes are paid to foodbank after latest busy month

ROCHDALE’S MP and Mayor have both paid tribute to the town’s foodbank after another busy month helping those in need.

Trustees and Volunteers at Rochdale Foodbank on South Parade in the town centre welcomed the two special guests on Monday, July 29 but it was not a first visit for either man.

Mayor Billy Sheerin said: “I am very familiar with the back door of the Foodbank, as on many occasions I have been able to bring in donations of food from St Gabriel’s and St John’s Roman Catholic Churches!

“I and all members of the council are extremely appreciative of the way that the hundred or so unpaid volunteers provide a lifeline for people in Rochdale who are finding it extremely difficult to feed themselves and their families.”

In May, the Observer reported how the foodbank had experienced its busiest

ever period with record numbers for the year until then.

The Fleece Street operation, which has been open for nearly seven years, said they gave out over 2,000 emergency food parcels in the first three months of 2019 alone.

This need appears to have continued with 590 residents receiving a food parcel in June. There were a total of 338 food vouchers brought in - an increase of 16% on the same month last year.

Tony Lloyd MP added his praise for the work of the volunteers, saying: “I frequently talk with clients of the Foodbank who tell me how grateful they are for the vital help they have received.

“We all wish the Foodbank’s service was not needed, but there are people who tell me they would have gone under were it not for the support they received here.

The town of Rochdale is very fortunate that the Foodbank exists.”

During their 90 minute visit the Mayor and Mr Lloyd were formally welcomed by Martin Coupe, Chair of the Foodbank Board of Trustees, met with other Trustees and members of the Monday team of Volunteers, and talked with clients awaiting their emergency food parcels.

They were shown around the building, told how the service is organised and its operation was explained in detail to them.

The Mayor and the MP also heard from another Trustee, Steve Field, about the work of the Debt Advice Service available for clients.

Volunteers at Rochdale Foodbank, which is part of the nationwide Trussell Trust network, thanked the people of Rochdale for their generous donations.

However, they said additional supplies of items like long-life milk, breakfast cereals, tinned fruit, fish, potatoes, spaghetti, jam and biscuits are still needed.

Financial donations are also very welcome with overhead costs running at around £2,000 per month. In 2018, £5,000 was spent to supplement food donations. Details of how to donate to the foodbank, and any other information about its work, can be found at www.rochdale.foodbank. org.uk ●●Trustees, Steve Field and Wendy Fell, talking with Mayor Billy Sheerin with (inset) MP Tony Lloyd talking to landlord Mark Foxley