Food bank to open its meeting to the public

LIGHT WILL be shed on the hidden deprivation in an affluent area of North Yorkshire when a food bank opens its annual meeting up to the public.

Hambleton FoodShare provides emergency food parcels for people in the district who find themselves in immediate financial crisis through unemployment, incapacity or a delay in benefit payment.

The community-led partnership provides a three-day food parcel to those who call in to its weekly food store at the Zion United Reformed Church in Northallerton or its satellite scheme in Bedale.

In order to receive emergency food help customers must be able to demonstrate their need, primarily by being referred through an agency or by self-referral.

Chairman Michael Webster said: “Although we live in an affluent part of the country, there are both individuals and families who at no fault of their own find themselves when they least expect it with no money left to buy basic food.

“Hambleton FoodShare fills that gap and continues through the huge efforts of its volunteer network to provide a muchsought-after service.”

Those attending the meeting on September 22 will be able to find out more about the project, meet the volunteers and get involved if they wish to do so.

Simon Farquhar from Hambleton, Richmondshire and Selby Citizens Advice will help explore the potential impact recent changes made to the welfare benefits system will have on food banks across the UK.

FoodShare’s volunteers will serve soup and a roll to everyone after the meeting just as they do for those who turn to them for help throughout the year.

The meeting is at the Zion church in High Street, Northallerton, at 11.30am.