West Cheshire Foodbank has seen a 60% increase in demand year on year over the last quarter, the charity has revealed.
Affiliated to the Trussell Trust, but a charity in its own right with distribution centres across Neston, Ellesmere Port, Chester, and surrounding rural areas, with a central warehouse facility and van, the registered charity is funded by donations.
The foodbank successfully applied to our King’s Moat Garden Village Community Fund for the Chester area and received £1,000 towards providing food parcels and activity packs for families during school holidays.
West Cheshire Foodbank finance trustee Ian Oulton said: “The foodbank has a strong record of working with the community to support local people and provide access to emergency food for those in crisis. We’ve seen a massive increase in the need for our support as a result of Covid-19. From April to December 2020 we supported 4,178 children – that’s a 46% increase on 2019.
“We estimate that demand is currently 60% higher than last year. We’re under significant pressure to sort and deliver donations to keep up with the demand. With Redrow’s help we delivered food boxes and activity packs to 100 families in Lache which, in turn, is 197 children benefiting from the donation.”
WCFB worked with partners including Sanctuary Housing, Cheshire West and Chester Council, St Mark’s Church, Welcome Network, St Clare’s and Lache Primary School who packed and delivered food boxes and activity packs.
One parent who received one of the packs said: “Thank you for the food parcel. I have been going without food to make sure my children have been fed at this hard time.”
The foodbank was one of 10 organisations to receive a share of our £10,000 voluntary community fund offered to good causes near Kings Moat Garden Village of family homes and green spaces, off Wrexham Road, Chester.
Area sales manager Caroline Thompson-Jones said: “Projects like West Cheshire Foodbank play a vital role in the community, supporting those in need.
No one should have to go without food, but it’s heartening to know that help is available. With their services under pressure we were keen to offer our support and we’re glad to hear our donation has made a real difference to so many families.”
For more information about West Cheshire Foodbank, including ways to offer support, see www.westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk.
