TINNED vegetables, pasta and cereal are being collected by Yorkshire Building Society colleagues in Wilmslow to help make sure vulnerable people don’t go hungry this summer.
The society’s branch on Grove Street has become an official donation station for the Wilmslow Parish Food Friend project at St Bartholomew’s Church.
As well as long-life and dried food, Food Friend is also in desperate need of other store cupboard basics such as jam, tea-bags and biscuits.
Gary Ward, manager of the society’s Wilmslow branch, said: “It is shocking so many people in our community are forced to rely on foodbanks to put meals on the table, and we wanted to do what we could to help.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small your contribution – it will all go to those who need it the most.
“We can’t thank people enough for their support for our appeal.”
Food Friend is open to anyone in need living in the SK9 postcode area.
The branch is open for donations from Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 5pm, on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to noon.
“Food Friend is a facility where anyone living within the SK9 postcode area in financial need can access free basic food,” said Flo Knowles from the project.
“Although on the surface Wilmslow and the surrounding area is an affluent one there is still hidden poverty. So far the project has helped about 100 individuals and families in distress.”
The church is open on five mornings a week, 10am to 12.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, for people to access Food Friend.
Flo is a trained counsellor, and is also available as a listening ear and can help clients access other support and services.
She added: “We work with other community organisations such as CAB, the Red Cross, family liaison workers in primary and secondary education, hostels, and those who work with older members of our community.
“Food is collected by parishioners from Wilmslow Parish and other community organisations and individuals each month. The food is then bagged up and can be distributed.”
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