Norfolk foodbank low on supplies as demand increases by a third
Thetford Foodbank is in need of donations. Photo Danny Lawson/PA Wire - Credit: PA
In the past year it has provided more than 25,000 meals to those in need.
Children from Busy Bees Nursery in Thetford collected food items in 2014. Picture by: Sonya Duncan - Credit: Sonya Duncan
Thetford Foodbank, at the Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, saw visitors to the charity increase by a third with 2,700 adults given three days worth of food.
But now the bank is running low on supplies and is appealing for donations.
Phil Williams, director at The Trussell Trust Thetford Foodbank, said: "With this increase in demand Thetford Foodbank's stocks are running low, and so we are asking our community to help by donating any food products they can."
Items that can be donated include; tinned fish, rice pudding, tinned fruit or vegetables, soup, jam, tinned tomatoes and sponge puddings.
Food boxes are handed out for each person in a household. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2019
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Mr Williams said: "We have seen an increase just for this year whereas others around the county have seen increases for the past four or five years but luckily ours has been stable.
"We see a range of people come into the bank. Whether it is someone who has just lost their job, coming into work and waiting for a pay check or in need due to not getting work like being on a zero hour contract."
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To access the foodbank users will have been referred by an associate who gives a voucher that can be exchanged for a food package. In Thetford these are at the Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice.
The bank will then provide each person in the household with a three day food package.
Food boxes are handed out for each person in a household. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2019
The increase in emergency meals comes as Waveney Foodbank had to hand out 60,000 packages last year across South Norfolk.
Also part of the Trussell Trust's network the service, based in a warehouse at Brome, near Eye, saw an average of 10 people referred to it every day.
Mr Williams added: "I am hopeful that the need for foodbanks will stop but I think really there is only the hope that we will be able to reduce the number."
Items can be donated at the centre on Mondays between 12pm and 2pm and Saturday between 10am and 12pm.
