Food banks across the country are being inundated with requests for emergency meals as families struggle to feed their children, especially with the school holidays fast approaching. Parents whose children ordinarily receive free school lunches in term time are among those struggling the most, as they now have to find an extra meal every day.
Schools, churches, businesses and residents in the Caerphilly borough are being encouraged to share some community goodwill and make a donation to their local food bank.
During the past year the number of people using food banks in Wales has tripled. To aid those in need, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Town Centre Management team have worked with UK food bank co-ordinators The Trussell Trust to facilitate partnerships between local supermarkets and nearby food banks to help feed families throughout the area.
Caerphilly county borough’s volunteer-run food banks serving Blackwood, Risca and New Tredegar, along with the Bridging the Gap initiative in Caerphilly, are welcoming donations.
Kevin Price from Rhymney Valley Food bank recently received a large food donation during a collection day at Bargoed Morrisons said “Food banks are becoming an essential lifeline for some local residents. During the collection day shoppers at Morrisons and the Community Champion in store kindly donated over 550kgs of food. During a normal month we hand out over 750kg of food – so this donation was very substantial. The donation of non-perishable goods such as tinned products or jars of pasta sauce really can make all the difference. I encourage people to give what they are able to.”
Tony Graham, Food bank Network Manager (Wales) for The Trussell Trust, said, “The Trussell Trust is grateful for the support that people living in Caerphilly county borough already give to our food banks. Without the generous support of individuals who donate we would not be able to feed the many thousands of people we do. We are also grateful for the encouragement and cooperation we have received from the local council.”
“Unfortunately we are seeing an increased need for food banks as residents struggle in this tough economic climate,” said Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly County Borough Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Sustainable Development and Planning, “Resources like food banks provide a lifeline for struggling families, and I hope residents are able to support them wherever possible.”
For more information on the county borough’s food banks please visit www.trusselltrust.co.uk or contact Andrew Highway, Town Centre Development Manager at Caerphilly County Borough Council, on 01443 866213.
