Foodbank helps to feed 5,000

STOCKING up: Oldham Foodbank manager Andrew Barr boxes up donated goods

Oldhamers thanked as charity copes with surge in demand
THE number of people using Oldham’s foodbank has more than tripled to almost 5,000 in the last year.

Around 36 tonnes of food has been donated over the past 12 months and distributed to 4,991 people — a leap up from the 1,426 helped by the foodbank in 2012.

Demand over Christmas was at a record high: 411 people - a third of them children - received help.

Donations from schools, businesses, Oldham Council employees, churches, mosques and individuals ensured that those in need did not go hungry: eight tonnes of food arrived at the charity’s base in Clegg Street.

Customers of Asda and Tesco supermarkets across Oldham also donated to the appeal.

Oldham Foodbank manager Andrew Barr said: “We can’t thank all the people of Oldham enough, the help and support they have given to fellow Oldhamers is just incredible.”

The foodbank is part of the national Trussell Trust Foodbank Network and individuals are referred to its services by a range of organisations and professionals, including the job centre, GPs and the council.

Oldham Foodbank relies on volunteer help and would particularly welcome help with supermarket collections and fundraising.

Anyone interested in volunteering or helping with supermarket collections and fundraising should contact the foodbank at 24 Clegg Street, by emailing info@oldham.foodbank.org.uk or tweet @Oldham Foodbank

More information can be found online at www.oldham.foodbank.org.uk.