Southam Foodbank is open

The Southam Fosse Foodbank, which is admistered by St Peter’s church in Kineton and part of the UK-wide network of Trussell Trust foodbanks, was officially opened by the trust’s West Midlands regional development officer Diana Mansell last week, who was joined by volunteers, representatives from voluntary groups and churches involved in the service, staff from Tesco in Southam - which has set up a permanent food collection point in store - and some of the frontline care professionals who will be referring clients to the foodbank for emergency food support.

The Rev Gillian Roberts of St Peter’s church said: “Today in Southam and the surrounding area, there are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis - redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill - can mean going hungry.”

Although St Peter’s is the adminstering church, is is working with a network of rural churches to enable the foodbank to support people in need over the area of south Warwickshire from Shipston to Southam.

People can help by donating food or funds, volunteering or holding a fundraising event.

The Southam distribution centre at the Graham Adams Centre is now open on Mondays between 11am and 1pm. For clients who cannot get to the centre, the service can deliver emergency food parcels to their home.

Volunteers at the foodbank can also signpost clients to other agencies where they can gain more targeted support, depending on their circumstances.

Anyone who would like to get involved or find out more can visit the centre during opening times, call the Rev Gillian Roberts on 815831 or visit www.fosse-foodbank.org.uk