Food bank's expansion plan to help families in crisis (From Halesowen News)

Food bank's expansion plan to help families in crisis

8:30am Wednesday 31st August 2011 in News

A HALESOWEN based food bank is aiming to expand its operation to cope with the demand from needy families hit by the recession.

The Black Country Food Bank has helped more than 3,500 people in the last six months - up 45 per cent on the same time last year.

The Christian organisation, which was started by Wendy Fryatt in 2006, has eight distribution centres across the region in locations including Stourbridge and Brierley Hill but wants to open another two by the end of the year.

It is appealing to churches or community centres which could act as centres to come forward.

Wendy said: “We need places where there can be public access and where food can be stored safely and cleanly.

“The venue would also need to have its own volunteers to run the operation."

Wendy said the new centres would help it cope with a surge in demand.

She said: “More and more families are coming to us in need.

“I met a man the other day who had two children who had never been out of work before but who had lost his job and was really struggling.

“During the school holidays we notice the number of families needing food goes up because there are no free school meals.”

The aim of the Food Bank is to give three days of nutrionally balanced food to people experiencing emotional or financial crisis. Its running costs total £2k per month.

Volunteers also provide homeless packs to those especially in need and also provide a hot drink, a meal and an opportunity to talk in a comfortable setting.

The food bank also needs donations of food and toiletries.

Visit www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk for details on how to help.