Food, glorious food!

Tons of grub donated to help families
KIND-hearted Oldhamers made sure no one went hungry over Christmas.

“Anyone who thought community spirit was dead should pay a visit to Oldham Foodbank”, declared Andrew Barr, co-ordinator at the Greaves Street centre. The foodbank was stocked full as a lifeline to the borough’s most vulnerable people over Christmas.

Andrew and his 25-strong band of volunteers were overwhelmed by the donations of tinned and packet food, biscuits and chocolates from generous Oldhamers who queued up to donate.

Shelves at the small HQ were crammed with goodies for those unable to feed themselves or their families.

Local Tesco stores handed over almost two tons of food and the proceeds of a collection; Oldham Council staff collected half a ton of edible treats, and football teams across Chadderton joined forces to collect selection boxes for youngsters.

Trans Pennine Express donated boxes of biscuits and bags of popcorn and a local dentist even handed over a crate of toothpaste!

Donations also flooded in from churches, schools and community groups.

Andrew said: “We have been staggered by the amount of stuff coming in. It really warms the heart and proves there are plenty of good people around.”


Foodbank is run by local churches and the Trussell Trust charity. It opens Monday-Thursday (11am-2pm) and Friday (11am-4pm). It will be closed on January 1 and 2.