A Penrith food bank is struggling to keep up with demand as stock reduces and more people find themselves struggling to make ends meet.
The Salvation Army in Penrith is appealing for support in stocking the shelves of its near-empty food bank as more people than ever struggle to afford food and household essentials, with everyday costs remaining at an all-time high, particularly hitting people on low incomes.
Faced with continued pressure on the cost of living, the Salvation Army, in Hunter Lane, has seen referrals to its food bank soar in recent months, while food bank donations have dipped as many people who have previously been able to support it with supplies are now feeling the pinch themselves.
People wishing to donate supplies to the foodbank can find drop-off points located at Booths and Morrisons supermarkets, in Brunswick Road, Penrith. At The Salvation Army’s church and community centre in Hunter Lane there is also a drop-off point with donations accepted Tuesday-Friday between 10am and 2-30pm.
Major Carole Donaldson, church leader at the Salvation Army in Penrith, said: “We are packing more food parcels than ever before and listening to people detail their struggles and how they can no longer afford to make ends meet. We are helping people who are working, retired, have caring responsibilities and families to feed.
“We see people in desperate need, thinking they would never be in a position to need to use a food bank, but are being pushed to the brink, struggling to get by.
“We are praying that we can meet the need that is growing day by day, but we are now tasked with not only helping people that can’t afford food, but also the people that would have once given supplies to us, tightening their own budgets and not being able to support with donated items where they once could. It is a huge worry as we see our food bank shelves start to become bare.”
Open two days a week, Tuesday and Friday, from 10am to 2pm, the food bank works on a referral basis from the likes of Citizens Advice, Jobcentre, local schools, health visitors and doctors.
The Herald reported that more than 300 families from Penrith and the surrounding area received extra support with food and toys over the festive period last year.
With more people pushed into poverty, including people who are in employment, and as the cost of everyday essentials continues to remain high, the Salvation Army is warning that people are struggling to absorb costs, with many being forced into serious debt.
The Salvation Army Penrith sees individuals, couples and families attend its food bank. A food parcel can include items such as tinned vegetables, fruit, pasta and sauce in a jar as well as toilet roll, coffee, biscuits and toiletries.
Each individual or family referred is provided with enough food for seven days, plus extras such as toiletries.
Each referral is met with a tailored response, including for families, with the Salvation Army considering the age of children so that family parcels can include nappies and formula if necessary.
Major Donaldson added: “We want to thank everyone who donates to us while we continue to help those less fortunate living within our community which is growing at a rapid rate and becoming a very scary reality.”
The Salvation Army in Penrith also has a JustGiving page dedicated to its work throughout the Penrith community which can be found at www.justgiving.com/
penrith-salvation-army. While all donations are very welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.
