Food bank in Wednesbury will close unless donations rise
A food bank, which supports dozens of families in Sandwell every week, will be forced to close within three months unless stocks improve, volunteers have warned.
When the base in Walsall Street, Wednesbury, launched last September, food was piling up to the ceiling. But now they are desperately short of items such as tinned potatoes, fruit and biscuits.
"If we were to close it would be devastating to the people in this area," said 61-year-old volunteer Lin Walford. "There are so many families in desperate need but the donations we're getting are not keeping up with demand. If we do not improve in the three months, we will run out."
The independent foodbank, which is based in the former post office building opposite the Conservative Club, is run by about 20 volunteers and relies on donations from schools and charity groups. Dozens of tins are being handed out every week, exceeding the donations they are receiving every two days.
"We're hoping more stock comes in or that we can hold out until September when, hopefully, the harvest festival will top us up," she said. Ms Walford, who lives in Ocker Hill, Tipton, started volunteering in October. "I think when we first opened a lot of people were talking about us," she said. "Now we are a little less in the public eye but the donations are just as important."
Wednesbury Councillor Elaine Costigan said she was sad to hear the food bank's stocks were running out.
"I would urge as many people as possible to support this very worthy cause," she said. "It's something relied on by lots of people in Wednesbury." The food bank is open from 10am and 3pm on Wednesday and 1pm until 7pm on Friday.
It provides three days worth of nutritionally-balanced food to people who have been given vouchers by charities and bodies including Age UK. Pasta, plus tins of fruit, tomato and other dried foods are all needed.
Donations can be dropped in at the shop or the Wesley Centre in Spring Head.
