News

Demand for foodbank services in Ribble Valley soars

30th November 2016

Volunteers who run the Ribble Valley Foodbank are calling for a direct hotline to job centres to support people in crisis. The move follows new figures, which reveal 834 emergency food supplies were given to local people in just six months.

Ruth Haldane, the borough’s foodbank manager, said: “Anyone could find themselves  in need of the foodbank. Every week we meet local people like you and me, who have been hit by something unavoidable such as an illness, a delay in welfare payments or an unexpected bill and are unable to afford food”.

According to statistics, over 834 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people during April to September 2016, compared to 780 during the same period in 2015. Of this number, 290 went to children

Ruth Added: ” We are keen to work with individuals, businesses and organisations to help stop local people going hungry – there’s a part for everyone to play. Thank you so much to everyone in the Ribble Valley who already donates time, food and money to help. If you are not already involved we would love to hear from you!”.

The foodbank is collecting Christmas non-perishable food for the Christmas parcels. All those who receive parcels are nominated by foodbank referral agencies. Food donations can be left at one of the collection points or delivered to the Clitheroe Centre at Trinity Church on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 11am and 1.30 pm. Suggested items include Christmas cakes and puddings, boxes of chocolates, children’s sweets, savoury biscuits, crisps, tins of biscuits, tinned ham or tinned salmon.

From: Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 24th November 2016.

Back to News