Middlewich Foodbank urgently needs to find new home

Middlewich and District Foodbank, which is open three days a week, currently receives between 15 and 50 requests for food every week from residents in food poverty.

The charity is part of The Trussell Trust network and relies on volunteers, but now needs help from the wider community.

In February 2023, the lease will expire on its current centrally-located premises in the town.

Trustee Anne O’Keefe explained: “Our current landlord has been extremely supportive over the past five years, however they now need use of the premises themselves and we have been advised that we need to explore options in order to secure new premises as soon as possible.

“We are open to any and all suggestions, having looked unsuccessfully ourselves into church halls, council buildings and other community spaces which are unavailable to us.

“We have a small grant-funded budget for paying rent and although it won’t cover commercial rent prices, it is a sizable contribution.

“We are reaching out to the community to help us with ideas so that we can continue, without disruption, to help provide emergency food for those in need."

The charity requires between 1,500 - 2,500 square feet of space in Middlewich to allow enough room to store food, as well as to sort through food donations and pack emergency food parcels.

Power, water and toilet facilities are also required, together with space for one car to load and unload food.

Middlewich Foodbank project manager Nicky Harris added: “Even a large container unit could work, we are looking at all options and are trying to be as creative with ideas as possible.

“We must ensure that while foodbanks are needed, and unfortunately they very much are, that we secure and move into new premises swiftly so we can do what we do best to support the community and help people in food poverty.”

If you have any ideas, contact Nicky on 07712 279949 or via email at manager@middlewichdistrict.foodbank.org.uk.