Telford & Wrekin Council make extra funding available for food banks as demand surges

The cash is on top of funding already received by Telford Crisis Support and Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council for delivering seven-day a week food provision across the borough and catering for cultural needs.

In addition, funding is being given to Newport Food Bank and Dawley Christian Centre.

However, the cost of living emergency means the public is still being asked to respond to an urgent appeal for donations of food and cash. There are various food donation points available across the borough of Telford and Wrekin.

Telford Crisis Support, which also runs a toddler and baby bank and school uniform project, said the number of people asking for help was up by more than a third on 2021 and many were those in work but still unable to make ends meet.

Operations manager, Simon Lellow said: “It’s heart-breaking the calls we are getting and often our staff come off the phone in tears.

“This is no longer a cost of living crisis, it’s a cost of subsistence crisis and it’s unprecedented. People have been cutting back for some time – buying less, going for the cheapest option, batch cooking – and they simply cannot cut back anymore. 

“My plea is for people to come together like they did during covid and help their neighbours. Every food donation will benefit someone in their community. But we are so much more than a food bank and we also urgently need cash donations.”

Councillor Paul Watling (Labour), Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities said:

“As part of the council’s support around the cost of living crisis, we are providing additional funding to these charities as well as two other organisations that provide free food parcels.

“It is devastating that so many people in our borough are struggling to afford the basics. As a co-operative council we are committed to funding charitable organisations but they still need your help with donations and every pound will benefit someone in Telford and Wrekin.”

Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council provides food parcels after 5pm during the week and at weekends.

Mayor of Telford and Wrekin, Raj Mehta, is Chair of the charity and said: “If everyone could donate even one tin of beans from their food shop it will make a huge difference to people living in their community.”

In 2020, Telford Crisis Support provided 90,000 meals but already this year has supplied 110,000 meals. Volunteer drivers clock up an average of 500 miles a week delivering food parcels. Businesses can help the charity by making one-off or regular cash donations, or even sponsoring a delivery van.

Those seeking support are usually going through a short-term crisis. A father of three came to the food bank after he was laid off due to a work injury.

Richard Smith is a volunteer driver and retired bank manager. He said: “It must be daunting when through no fault of your own, you’ve not got enough money to pay for food, especially if you have children.”