New Whaley Bridge Food Bank receives hundreds of donations

Whaley Bridge Food Bank - based at the town’s Transhipment Warehouse - has already received staple foods such as beans and pasta.

However organisers were delighted to be presented with a ‘massive’ box of toiletries by a town pharmacist - as well as a donation from Morrisons.

The food bank - which will be launched at the town’s Christmas market tomorrow (Saturday) at 12pm - hopes to work with others in the High Peak and benefit from their expertise.

Fiona Sloman, a High Peak councillor who helped set it up, said: “We’re the new kids on the block and it would be great to work with other food banks to understand more about what people need.

“We know that some people will feel stigmatised by using a food bank but we want to reassure them that that’s not the case.

“So many ordinary people have been made redundant and are struggling after furlough - which is why we feel we need to try and help out.”

Councillor Sloman, High Peak member for public health, told how the group had already been flooded with messages from members of the public asking how they can help.

She said: “People are really keen to support us and I think that’s great because it’s going to be a hard Christmas for lots of people.”

As well as staple, non-perishable foods such as tins and pasta along with toiletries, Whaley Bridge Food Bank are appealing for festive fare to fill Christmas hampers.

In particular they need chocolates, biscuits, tinned fruit, Christmas puddings and selection boxes.

Fiona said: “Knowing that you can access a food bank in your community can be such a reassurance for anyone struggling at the moment – as a result of the Covid pandemic or any other circumstances.

“The additional help they provide, which is often about so much more than food, makes a real difference.”

To make a donation or to volunteer to help out at the food bank you can get in touch by messaging them on their Facebook page.

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