Westbury Food Bank is appealing to the local community for support as it faces record levels of demand from struggling families. At the same time, the charity is receiving fewer donations as those who would normally donate food are struggling themselves.
The charity is asking for donations to help to provide essential food for the growing number of people in the town who find themselves struggling financially.
It is specifically requesting donations of baked beans, canned fruit and vegetables, long-life milk, cereals and pasta or alternatively one-off or regular financial donations.
“In recent months, the Westbury food bank has seen a significant rise in the number of families seeking help,” said Ian Cooper, a trustee of the Westbury Area Network that runs the food bank.
“Rising living costs have meant more and more families are needing our help. We are facing unprecedented demand.
“In the first five months of the year, we are something like 30% up compared to last year. We’ve given out 745 food parcels compared to 572 in the same five months last year. And it’s been a double whammy in recent months – a lot of people have been struggling financially over the past 12 to 18 months so we have found our donations have been down at a time when the demand is soaring. The gap between what we receive and what we give out is growing.
“In an average month, we get in around 1,000 kilos, about a ton, of donations, but we are giving out 1,300 to 1,400 kilos and that’s what we’re having to buy.
“It’s meant we’re using our reserves to bridge the gap and we’re having to work harder and harder to keep up with the demand.
“We’re incredibly grateful for all the donations we receive – we do get fantastic support in the town – but we are asking if anyone is in a position to make a donation, then we will be very thankful,” added Ian. “We know things are tough for a lot of people, but any support will be a big help as we try to support the most vulnerable members of our community.”
You can donate to the food bank in local supermarkets or make a regular or one-off financial donation. Full details are on the Westbury Area Network website – https://westburyareanetwork.org/donate
Morrisons in the town centre offer ‘food bank parcels’ to shoppers which are specially made up to include some of the items most needed. The parcels are priced up and shoppers can simply take them to the till to pay and put them in the receptacle for the food bank to collect.
