A Cumbrian food bank is expanding its support to families in need.
Brampton’s new food bank, which already has a 16-strong volunteer group, received a welcome boost from The Cumberland’s Brampton branch in the form of a donated large fridge.
Staff there are also planning to volunteer at the food bank, and hope other local businesses join them.
Barry Ridley, manager of The Cumberland’s branches in Brampton, Longtown, Haltwhistle and Gretna, visited the project with his colleague Rebecca Burney to see how work is progressing with establishing the food bank.
“It is sad to think that people in our community can’t afford to buy food for their families, but some people are really struggling.
“When I spoke to the people here I was only too happy to help and find the funds to buy this fridge which will extend the range of products the food bank can store.
“The Cumberland is all about kinder banking and this is an example of that right here in Brampton,” he said.
Cumberland staff can all spend a day each year volunteering for local good causes and the Brampton team is planning to use their days to help the food bank, he added.
Foodbank manager Mike Kane said the project was in its early days but was already getting lots of support from Brampton folk.
He said: “Most days when we come to the food bank there will be a donation of food and other groups in the town have been collecting too.
“We have got a group of trustees established and have connected to most of the referral agencies.
“The challenge now is to get sufficient funds to make the food bank sustainable so we are looking at sources of funding and ways for supporters to contribute money to help us grow.”
People using the foodbank are being referred to the service by agencies such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, social services and the department for work and pensions.
They receive a bag of groceries that should support them for three days, which is either collected at Brampton Community Centre or delivered to them.
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