Help sought to set up foodbank

Volunteers are needed to help with a scheme that would provide emergency food provisions for the needy in Newark.

Churches Together In Newark plans to start the Newark Foodbank gradually in the New Year, with the aim of having it fully operational by Easter.

The project would be run through The Trussell Trust, a Christian charity that operates similar foodbanks throughout the country. There are now 250 registered schemes.

The Rev Judith Pollard, curate for the Newark Team Ministry, said the project would be run by local people for local people.

She said: “We would provide emergency food supplies to give short-term targeted support for those in crisis.

“This could make all the difference to people’s quality of life.”

She said the project would help people from all backgrounds and all faiths, or none.

“We want to make a positive difference,” she said.

“Everybody would be treated with respect and discretion.”

Some churches and schools have started to collect for the foodbank.

Donations from Newark Baptist Church were on show at a meeting in Barnbygate Methodist Church on Monday called to explain the project to about 60 potential volunteers.

Dr Andrew Ayre said they needed relevant agencies to identify people in crisis. They would be issued with a voucher to give to the foodbank in exchange for three days of nutritionally-balanced food.

He said initially the foodbank would be based at Barnbygate Methodist Church.

He said they were looking for equipment such as scales and racking, tabards and lanyards for the volunteers, computers and printers.

Helen Wilkinson, from Barnbygate Methodist Church, said they needed a lot of people with a wide range of skills to help.

Mr Brian Hanbury, from Grantham Foodbank, which has been running for 16 months, said they held collections at a supermarket in the town every six weeks. He said shoppers were asked to buy and donate an item from a list and they found that people were always extremely generous.

Mrs Steph Melrose, from Barnbygate Methodist Church, said as well as food donations they needed to raise money.

A quiz will be held at the church on November 17 and she is planning a sponsored 24-hour fast.

She said: “This is very much a community project. It is a chance for the town to pull together and help people in need.”

More information is available from Mrs Melrose on 01636 640678 or email steph melrose@hotmail.co.uk