More people are now in need of city food bank (From Worcester News)

More people are now in need of city food bank

3:10pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By Sarah Taylor

LESS than three months after opening its doors, Worcester’s food bank has helped feed 187 adults and 75 children.

The food bank was opened by Christian Ann-Marie Ison in June and had just one visitor on its first day.

But Mrs Ison says they are getting more and more people every time they open.

“It is something Worcester needed,” said Mrs Ison, who decided to set up the venture in Carden Close, Carden Street, off City Walls Road, as an expression of her faith about two years ago. “I do wonder what people did before we were here.

“Some of the people haven’t eaten for three or four days when they come to us.

“They get pushed from one service to another saying they can’t help. They are grateful when they come in.

“Figures this week show we have helped 262 people, which includes 75 aged under 18. I guess it has exceeded the need we estimated for the food bank.”

The service has proved in such high demand, the service organisers are considering opening for a third morning, adding to the current opening hours of 11am to 2pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

Mrs Ison said: “We have served 16 and 17-year-olds who are fending for themselves and sofa surfing. When they come in people are really open about why they are here. “They often start off being embarrassed and can be quite angry with the system. “Mostly, they are waiting for their benefits to change, as they just stop and get nothing while it changes.

“The people we serve are mainly single people under the age of 25. “The families we have had come through have been families as opposed to single parents, which we were told we would see more of.

“We haven’t had many people who are living on the street, but we have made food parcels for people just starting off in new homes.”

Anyone who would like to donate food can visit the food bank and there is a permanent collection point at Tesco in Warndon Villages, Worcester.

On Saturday, September 22, volunteers will be collecting at Asda in the city centre.