Foodbank stocks under pressure

Steve Field, Margaret and Iain Wight at Milnrow Coop to thank members for their £3,400 donation

Rochdale Foodbank is finding its stock of food has shrunk considerably since the start of the year.

As reported nationally this week, demand for food has risen substantially since the start of 2017.

Iain Wight, Project Manager at the foodbank, said: “We are giving out 1,000kgs a month more than we are receiving – which is not sustainable. We are asking the Rochdale public if they can donate a little bit more food while demand stays high. We are asking schools and churches if they can help. Anyone can donate food either in a collection box – for example, at a library  – or directly to the foodbank.”

Mr Wight added that the reasons for the increase in demand are aried, but that benefit delays are one key reason. He said: “Referrals from the Job Centre have shot up since December last year, so we have had discussions with them to help manage and reduce the numbers.”

Coop members have been donating through the Local Community Fund and the foodbank received £3,400 from this fund recently. 

Tesco donated 1,000 carrier bags for the foodbank to use.

Mr Wright said: “We go through about 1,200 plastic bags ever month so this is a big help."

Rochdale Foodbank is also offering other services to help people out of food poverty. They have started a debt counselling service – trained to FCA approved standards - and are offering short 'Eat Well Spend Less' courses.

Overall the foodbank is in a healthy situation, with 100 volunteers providing the service every weekday, and with sufficient funds to buy the shortfalls in food needed. However, some fairly urgent increases in stock are required if a crisis is to be averted in the summer months.

Items in short supply are listed on the foodbank website:

https://rochdale.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/