Progress Report on the Nantwich Foodbank

Jane Emery from the Nantwich Foodbank spoke to the Club to update us on what has been happening since her last visit. The Foodbank opened in January 2013 and the demand from locals is ever increasing.  Over 1400 people were helped during the year to 31st March 2014, including a large number of children.

The 3 main reasons for people needing help are debt, low income and benefit delays. Families needing help are referred to the Foodbank by almost 20 local agencies such as GPs, Citizens Advice Bureaux, social workers and health visitors. There has been a worrying increase in people referred from mental health agencies. When the detailed records kept by the volunteers showed a large number of clients in a particular rural area needing help a local delivery system was established

The volunteers aim to encourage self help to try and reduce dependence on the Foodbank handouts.  They have arranged healthy eating courses in conjunction with the W I and hand out information packages to help clients in debt.

The Foodbank is supported by the Trussell Trust and shortly hopes to achieve formal registration as a charity with the Charity Commission. Jane has established links with other Foodbanks in the area as well as the local childrens centre.

Jane was pleased that the supply of food from donations has not reduced as she feared and recent collections from Tesco have proved successful.

Following questions President Ashley presented Jane with a cheque for 400.00 and Richard Morgan-Wynne gave a brief vote of thanks.