Feed our Foodbanks to stop hunger in our towns

Foodbanks are a lifeline for the most vulnerable members of our community living in poverty all year round, but Covid-19 has led to an alarming surge in the number of people turning to them for help.

This week, the Guardian is launching the Feed our Foodbanks campaign across Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich, Knutsford and Wilmslow.

We are highlighting the crucial work done by Mid Cheshire Foodbank in Northwich and Winsford, Middlewich Foodbank, and The Hope Centre in Knutsford and Wilmslow.

And we are urging Guardian readers to support their local foodbank if they are able to, by donating the supplies that are most in demand.

Nathan Pardoe, from Mid Cheshire Foodbank, said: “Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic we were feeding around 120 people per week – we’re now feeding more than 100 people per day.

“We need your support now more than ever.

“Normally we are OK – most people don’t want long life milk or tinned pies.

“But because people now have a bunker mentality, stocks of what we would normally get are running low. That will hopefully ease as time goes on but demand is going to rise.”

Rachel Pendleton, who runs the Middlewich Foodbank, said: “Obviously our usage has gone up massively. We helped more than 250 people last week, which for us is really a lot of people.

“We did a shout out last week for volunteers so our numbers are OK at the moment, but it will only take a couple of people getting ill and we will be back to square one.

“Our main problem has been getting hold of supplies – things like UHT milk – but I would say that a lot of people are being really supportive.”

Ian Robertson is a trustee of Hope Central, which runs the foodbanks in Knutsford and Wilmslow.

He said: “The demand was enormous last week – we helped 105 people just out of the Knutsford foodbank, it was only 40 the week before and that had been picking up.

“It is a big increase and logistically it is quite a challenge.

“People can shy away from foodbanks, but a number of people are being affected by what is happening as a result of the coronavirus and we are there to help.”

Anne Dawson, from Hope Central in Wilmslow, added: "We have quadrupled in demand, I would say.

"Last year we gave food for 1,200 people, in March we have done 340 in just one month – 164 adults and 176 children.

"Our volunteers are working really, really hard, but we are coping up to now and almost all of our referrals are going out the same day."

The impacts of coronavirus are becoming more profound all the time and the issues Cheshire’s foodbanks face change on a regular basis.

Each week, the Guardian will keep you updated with the items that your local foodbank needs most, and provide details on any other ways that you can help.

How you can access support

While the coronavirus crisis is making it more difficult for people to access support, help is on hand for the most vulnerable in our community.

Middlewich and Mid Cheshire foodbanks work with the Trussell Trust.

Both Hope Central and the Trussell Trust use a voucher system for referrals, and while accessing referrals is more difficult during the pandemic, foodbanks are still open for help.

Rachel Pendleton, of Middlewich Foodbank, said: “We operate on a basic voucher system, but nowhere is open in Middlewich to do referrals.

“The town hall is shut, churches are closed, so the only options are doctors or the Jobcentre – and getting through to them is challenging at the best of times. Citizens Advice can help, but they have fewer volunteers at the minute.”

Nathan Pardoe, of Mid Cheshire Foodbank, added: “We want people who are in need to know where to get help.

"The pandemic is making referrals from doctors and schools more difficult, but people can be referred by contacting Cheshire West and Chester Council or Citizens Advice.

"The foodbank is still here to help the community.”

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From this week, Middlewich Foodbank is moving to a delivery-only service, while Mid Cheshire Foodbank is running collections from its Winsford and Northwich distribution centres by appointment, and is delivering only for people with no other support for food.

Foodbanks accept referrals from social workers, doctors, children’s centres, housing associations and other providers, but check with the foodbank first.

To get in touch, click here for Mid Cheshire, here for Middlewich or here for Hope Central.

To contact Citizens Advice for a referral, call 0344 5766 111.

Northwich and Winsford residents aged below 70 who need a food parcel, or who are self-isolating but do not qualify for ‘shielding’ support, can also call Cheshire West and Chester Council on 0300 123 7031 seven days a week from 8am to 7pm.

Knutsford residents can also access support from the 'We Are Knutsford' group, which can be found online.

How you can help

MID CHESHIRE FOODBANK

The best way you can support Mid Cheshire Foodbank this week is by donating food to your nearest drop-off point.

Mid Cheshire Foodbank is short of tinned fruit, tinned potatoes, jam and spreads.

You can leave donations at the foodbank’s warehouse at Unit 14, The Business Centre, Barlow Drive, Winsford, from 9am to 2pm on weekdays.

Alternatively, drop off donations at Asda in Northwich and Winsford, Tesco in Northwich, Sainsbury's in Hartford, Waitrose in Northwich and Booths in Knutsford.

The foodbank is also open to new volunteers joining up.

For more information visit midcheshire.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/volunteer

Financial donations are also accepted, with cash being used to buy more food.

To donate money, visit justgiving.com/midcheshirefoodbank

MIDDLEWICH FOODBANK

The best way you can support Middlewich Foodbank this week is by donating food to your nearest drop-off point.

Middlewich Foodbank is particularly short of long-life UHT milk, cereal, cordial and fruit juice.

You can leave donations at Jack’s and Morrison’s, in Middlewich, or Sainsbury’s, in Holmes Chapel.

The foodbank is also open to new volunteers joining up.

For more information email info@middlewichdistrict.foodbank.org.uk

HOPE CENTRAL

All food donations are welcome for Hope Central, but especially tinned meat, tuna, tinned vegetables and long-life UHT milk.

You can leave donations at Booths and Aldi, in Knutsford, or at Tesco in The Paddock, Handforth.