Launch of monthly push to help West Somerset food bank (From Somerset County Gazette)

Launch of monthly push to help West Somerset food bank

6:30am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Hannah Green

Chrissie Payne, left, (Food Cupboard coordinator), Neil Bliss (Magna West Somerset) and Cath Babbege (Food Cupboard volunteer) sorting donations.

HUNDREDS of food donations from housing association staff and residents have been welcomed by Alcombe-based West Somerset Food Cupboard. 

In 2012, the volunteer-led food bank delivered 563 food parcels to people in need in the district, with numbers expected to increase this year. 

Magna West Somerset staff from Williton and residents of Ingrams Meadow extra care scheme in Watchet plan to hold a monthly ‘Food Bank Friday’ to help relieve poverty and hardship in the community.

West Somerset Food Cupboard coordinator Chrissie Payne said: “Without the generosity of organisations like Magna West Somerset, the Food Cupboard would not survive.

“The food bank supports people who struggle to buy the most basic food items that many of us take for granted. These people look at the food cupboard as a lifeline so every donation is vital.”

Neil Bliss, of Magna West Somerset, added: “The work done by volunteers from this food bank is invaluable to people in need within the local community.

"Staff and residents wanted to make donations as a means of giving something back to people in the community who have fallen on hard times.”