SOMER VALLEY FOODBANK

Due to the sale of our existing warehouse, the Somer Valley Foodbank needs to find a new storage facility that can hold up to 7 tonnes of non-perishable food. We need a space that is about 1,500 square feet in size. We are appealing to the local business community for help in this matter and if anyone knows of or has a premises that we could use, please could they contact the Somer Valley Foodbank Chairman, Paul Woodward, on 07729523986 or email info@somervalley.foodbank.org.uk. “We need this matter resolved as soon as possible, as we have to leave the present warehouse by the end of the year. The foodbank management team would like to thank our landlord who has been most generous and helpful with the arrangement we have and it is just unfortunate that we have to leave. It has been a very useful warehouse for us to have for the last year. We fully understand the need to sell the facility but we just do not have the funds to purchase it,” said Paul Woodward. The Foodbank provides three days of emergency food to people who need it the most. Professionals such as health visitors, social workers and the CAB identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher. This all done via phone calls and electronic vouchers. The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre, in Midsomer Norton, Peasedown, Paulton or Radstock, where a friendly team of volunteers will help people with their food needs. With more than 70 volunteers collecting and transporting food, helping in distribution centres and providing support to those who visit, the Somer Valley Foodbank is one of the biggest volunteer-led projects in Bath and North East Somerset.

Of the 2,000 people who receive help each year, they are referred to the Foodbank for a variety of reasons, such as being on a low income, benefit delays, benefit changes, debt, ill health and unemployment, etc. “We would also like to thank the local press for their continued support and to the community who continue to donate food for us to hand out to those who are referred to us by local agencies. We are now calling on the community for help in finding a new warehouse,” added Paul Woodward. For more information about the Somer Valley Foodbank, visit www.somervalley.foodbank.org. uk, email info@somervalley.foodbank.org.uk or call 07729523986