A new service providing emergency food supplies to Liverpool residents officially opened last week.
Councillor Abdul Qadir and Cllr Tim Beaumont were amongst the 40 local community leaders, housing association representatives and sponsors who attended the official launch event for the Central Liverpool Foodbank at Frontline Church, Wavertree on Wednesday 8 June.
The service provides food to those who are facing a sudden crisis, such as a delay in receiving their welfare benefits, redundancy or personal sickness.
The nutritionally balanced food packages will feed a family for up to four days.
Paul Edward, Foodbank manager, said: “You might think our service is reserved only for those with chaotic and broken lifestyles, but many of those using the service are just ordinary people like you and me who’ve hit hard times.
“None of us know when a crisis will arise, but Foodbank is here, ready and waiting to help people through those difficult times.
“For example, last week a man came to us after his fridge had broken. He was unemployed and struggling to support his two grandchildren when this happened. The household food supply was ruined. We were able to give him food to see the family through the next few days and he went away much more cheerful, knowing they would be ok.
“Another lady came in with a young baby. She had recently split up with her partner and was waiting for her benefits claim to be processed. In the meantime she was in desperate need of food. We made sure she was well looked after until her benefits came through.”
Since the Foodbank first trialled 9 weeks ago, it has already fed more than 100 people, distributing almost a tonne of food.
Run by a team of around 25 volunteers, and funded by social landlord Riverside, Plusdane Group and LHT, the Central Liverpool Foodbank is looking forward to helping hundreds of Liverpool households in the coming months.
If you would like to support Foodbank, food donations can be brought to Frontline Church on the corner of Lawrence and Wellington Road in Wavertree. Alternatively, regular food collections are held at Asda on Smithdown Road.
Central Liverpool Foodbank is open on Mondays 11am-3pm and Fridays 1-4pm. Food vouchers can be obtained on any day from Citizen’s Advice Bureaus, various children’s centres, probation services, housing agencies, Nugent Care, Merseycare and Local Solutions.
More information can be obtained by contacting Paul Edwards Central Liverpool Foodbank Manager, at Frontline Church on 0151 733 3373 or paule@frontline.org.uk.
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