THOSE struggling to make ends meet in Bidford can now get help putting food on the table.
Arden Food Bank has launched a new branch in the village to provide emergency food for people in crisis.
The Bidford and Salford Priors Food Bank – situated at the Methodist Church in Chapel Close will operate every Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3pm.
The Arden Food Bank, which will be working in partnership with support agencies, is organised by local churches and also offers practical support to help those facing sudden crisis.
Part of the Trussell Trust, it is run by volunteers who distribute food following a referral from the likes of doctors and social workers.
People in need of the service are given a coupon which they can exchange for items such as tinned food, bread, tea and coffee.
The service, which is completely confidential, aims to help residents in the Bidford, Salford Priors and surrounding villages.
The Arden Foodbank already runs food banks at nearby Alcester Methodist Church on Fridays from 2pm to 3.30pm, and at Studley Methodist Church on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3.30pm.
A spokeswoman for Arden Food Bank said: “People would be forgiven for thinking Alcester, Studley and the surrounding villages of Bidford and Salford Priors are affluent areas with little or no poverty problems.
“But just scratch the surface and they will realise the need for a support organisation in the area is great and when crisis hits some people have no financial safety net – this is where a food bank can make all the difference.”
The groups rely on donations to help keep the food banks running and are urging residents to donate any kind of non-perishable food – from pasta to puddings – to churches in and around the Alcester, Studley, Bidford and Salford Priors area.
A suggested shopping list can be found at www.arden.foodbank.org.uk.
For further information email [email protected] or call 07733 551926.
