Council commits to fund Telford Foodbank for further two years

The Council is a member of Telford Crisis Network and has been helping fund the Foodbank since it opened last April.

In its first year the Telford Crisis Network Foodbank has provided over 5,500 food parcels to individuals and families in crisis situations.

The Foodbank is known and supported borough wide by many local schools, businesses and organisations and is a much needed service.

It is heavily reliant on volunteers and donations, and as it continues to grow it is essential it can secure longer term financial stability. This process has already begun with a move to turn the Foodbank into a charity. A board of trustees is currently being recruited to move this forward.

The Council hopes that no further funding for the scheme will be needed after two years as the charity aims to be self sufficient by then.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader, Kuldip Sahota, said: “This administration is very disappointed by the recent government announcement that they are to stop crisis support funding.

“The continued funding for the Foodbank is good news for those families in the borough who are most in need and who rely on the invaluable support the Foodbank gives.

“If the Foodbank didn’t exist we would need to find another way to provide this provision through the crisis support fund. We are already working in partnership with local businesses and organisations to provide a more co-ordinated crisis support, so it makes sense to use the funding in this way.

“While we wish there was no need for a food bank, the reality is sadly very different and we want to help ensure that the Foodbank continues its excellent service and have time to move to sustainable financial footing.”