Fears Derbyshire food bank may be 'stretched to the limit' in run up to Christmas

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Ripley Salvation Army Food Bank has seen a 100 per cent increase in demand.

The food bank is currently providing vital food supplies to vulnerable people every month and is now expecting yet another surge in demand in the run up to Christmas.

Volunteers are thanking local Rotary Clubs after a delivery of more than 80 cases of food by ‘Rotary4foodbanks’ has helped the team at its headquarters in Heath Road cope with the growing demand, with many people accessing food bank services for the first time.

Ian Brown, who manages the Salvation Army’s admin and finances, said: “It is only with the support of schemes like ‘Rotary4foodbanks’ and help from local supermarkets that we can hope to meet the growing need as autumn approaches and more individuals and families find themselves short of money for food.

“Our commitment to never turning anyone away will be stretched to the limit this year.”

Rotary Club members from Amber Valley and across Derbyshire were on hand to deliver more than 80 boxes of staple foods – coffee, tea, tinned fruit, cereals and more – to keep up stock levels.

The region-wide ‘Rotary4foodbanks’ scheme raises funds to buy food in bulk, which is then distributed free to around 50 foodbanks in the East Midlands.

Covid-19 has increased the challenge for the Salvation Army in Ripley and beyond.

Ian said: “Many of our supporters are older – most members are over 70 and have been shielding. So maintaining a food supply service has been especially difficult since March.

“Many of the people we support face real personal challenges – homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction. Others are ordinary families experiencing hardship as a result of the economic downturn.

"Many are seeking support from foodbanks for the first time. They all deserve our help.”

Local Rotarian John Stamp, who works with the Rotary4foodbanks team, said the story from Ripley is echoed across the East Midlands.

He said: “There is real concern about the winter ahead and the demands that food banks like the Salvation Army Ripley service will face.

“At ‘Rotary4foodbanks’ we have linked up with supermarket giant Morrisons and are committed to providing a regular supply of key food items to meet the need.

"We all give our time free, as willing volunteers, but we need the public to support our efforts.”

‘Rotary4foodbanks’ has set up a Justgiving page to make it easy for people to donate.

Because the scheme is run entirely by volunteers it has no overheads.

That means every penny given goes directly to buying food at discounted prices for delivery to local food banks.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotary4foodbanks.