School’s eco-team visit Rochdale Foodbank

St John RC's eco-team visited the Rochdale Foodbank

Pupils from years three to six from St John’s RC Primary School on Ann Street visited the Rochdale Foodbank on Thursday (27 September) ahead of their harvest collection next week.

The pupils learnt about how the foodbank helps people in time of need, and how they use a voucher system in exchange for food, packaged in an inconspicuous carrier bag.

Iain Wight, who founded the foodbank with his wife, Margaret, said: “We need the people of Rochdale to give us several thousands of pounds’ worth of food a month, which helps approximately 3,600 people a year.

“People do find it embarrassing to have no money, so we put their goods in a carrier bag which looks as though they’ve been to the supermarket, not the foodbank.”

The children also considered why people may require more help in winter, such as losing their jobs, having children, or choosing between heating or food.

All the children told Rochdale Online they enjoyed their visit and would visit again.

The eco-team will give a presentation about the foodbank at Monday’s assembly, ahead of their harvest collection on Friday 5 October, which is donated to the foodbank.