Amazing generosity of Rochdale people

Date published: 25 October 2012


Organisers of Rochdale Foodbank have been utterly amazed at the generosity of Rochdale people over the recent Harvest period.

“We were hoping to receive between two and three tonnes of food, to allow us to open the Foodbank, and we were really not sure if that was achievable”, commented Iain Wight, Chairman of Trustees.

“Over the last three weeks we have been inundated with offers of food from schools and churches in the main, and we now have double what we hoped for – five tonnes of food!”

Over 25 churches and 25 schools have donated their harvest offerings, and the Foodbank organisers want to say a very big thank you to everyone who gave something: “ It may be around 10000 families have made a contribution. That is fantastic, and really good news,” added Mr Wight.

Such generosity has brought some logistical problems with it. The original premises planned for the Foodbank, on Drake Street, have proved to be far too small to handle all this food. Through the generosity of a local Christian, it has been possible to rent property at 9-10 South Parade, and all the Foodbank stock was moved there last week. “We had about 12 people, two vans, 4.2 tonnes of food and 10 pieces of steel racking on the move! It was a huge job,” said Mr Wight.

Now, with such a huge stock of food, Rochdale Foodbank is preparing to open its doors.Front line agencies, who have been signed up by the Foodbank, will be receiving batches of food vouchers this week.The Foodbank Centre is not a drop-in or a café, and only people with vouchers will be admitted. They will be given a hot beveridge and a snack, while their three-day supply of food is being put together.

Over 50 volunteers and around 12 agencies have now been given training to operate Rochdale Foodbank on a professional basis.

Mr Wight added: “I cannot thank our volunteers enough. They have already been working really hard, sorting out the food into categories and stock rotation. But they’ve done it all with great enthusiasm and togetherness, which is wonderful to see. It’s actually been good fun.

"I also need to mention the folks from The Well Community Church who have shouldered the responsibility of getting the Foodbank going, both financially, and in giving time and effort. Without them we would never have got started.”

The Foodbank Centre at 9-10 South Parade will open to receive clients with vouchers on Thursday 1 November and Friday 2 November between 11am and 1pm.

For further information - www.rochdale.foodbank.org.uk

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