Fylde Foodbank Volunteers Coronavirus Newsletter May 2020
Latest instalment of our Newsletter for volunteers.
As the pandemic continues, a few volunteers in the over 70’s age group have asked when they can return to their volunteering duties as some restrictions are lifted.
There is to be a Trustee meeting at the end of this month and this will be included on the agenda.
It’s expected that it will be some time before the foodbank resumes some normality. New practices and methods of working will have to be looked at.
The Health and Safety of all our volunteers is a priority.
Over recent weeks the foodbank has greatly benefited from food and financial donations. Stock levels at both centres are good. Approximately 8000kgs are held at both centres.
Additional storage facilities at both St Anne’s and Kirkham are being utilised as stock levels increase.
The food collection point in the United Reformed Church each Wednesday has been extremely well supported by members of the public with 537kg already weighed in. Donations from the public at Kirkham have been left at our Moor Street centre and have increased significantly.
The foodbank has been fortunate to have been in receipt of weekly national food donations from two supermarkets – Tesco (arranged by the Trussell Trust) and Morrisons. A large palette of tinned and dried goods has been generously donated each week. In total 3522kgs has been received to date with a monetary value of £6163.
In view of the high volume of this increased stock from Tesco, with some items short dated, our St Anne’s centre has been pleased to offer assistance to another foodbank in the area who have been struggling both financially and for stock to provide food for people in need. Their plight was brought to our attention by one of the foodbank Trustees, the Rev Jim Williams.
Donations brought by the public to our food collection point for people of the Fylde have not been offered, apart from a tray of beans and soup, and remain for local people in our area who find themselves in financial crisis.
The foodbank has seen increased demand for its services at both centres with 961 people fed since 1st April 2020. (352 children and 609 adults.) A substantial amount of emergency parcels has been distributed as many referral agencies are closed. Most of the foodbank referrals have been via the Community Support Line run by the Council/Hub. The partnership between the foodbank and the Council has been very successful. The delivery system implemented at St Anne’s has also worked really well and we are indebted to the British Gas volunteer drivers who have given up their time whilst unable to work. Although Kirkham decided not to pursue using Brit Gas drivers, Linda and Richard Nulty and their volunteers have made deliveries in an emergency to people in need.
Plans for the extension to the annex at St Anne’s are gathering pace with work expected to commence in July/August. It’s hoped there will be minimal disruption whilst building work is carried out. The extension will provide extra much needed space. The additional storage facility at Kirkham will also be welcomed.
If any volunteers feel they would NOT wish to return to voluntary duties until all Government restrictions have been lifted, please get in touch with either me, or Linda N if you are a Kirkham volunteer.
Let’s hope we can all be back together soon.
Linda
