First foodbank in Trafford opened by Mayor (From Messenger Newspapers)
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First foodbank in Trafford opened by Mayor
11:47am Friday 25th January 2013 in News
Rev John Penny from St Vincent’s Church, Mayor Patricia Young, Mayor’s Consort Michael Young, Foodbank Chair Hayley Entwistle, and Rev Andrew Bradley
ALTRINCHAM Foodbank, the first in Trafford - which has operated since last November - was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Patricia Young, at Timperley Methodist Church.
People in need, referred by a frontline specialist, are given vouchers redeemable for three days’ emergency food at the church on Friday mornings.
Manchester Airport, shoppers from Waitrose and Tesco’s in Baguley and Altrincham, as well as voluntary organisations, schools and individuals, have donated most of the food.
The Rev Andrew Bradley, minister at Timperley Methodist Church, whose idea it was to start the venture, said: “I got the idea in November 2011.
“For several years we had been organising overnight accommodation for the homeless and realised there was an underlying problem.”
After seeing a TV programme about the Trussell Trust, a charity responsible for most UK foodbanks, he contacted four Methodist churches. On the trust’s advice he invited other local churches to an open meeting in early 2012.
Four of them contributed financially and a steering group was formed.
Since November, 126 individuals have been helped.
Dr Hayley Entwistle, chairman of the management committee, thanked the Trussell Trust and the volunteers who set up and run it.
She told the Messenger about those they help.
“Some have been made redundant, left by their partner, or have large debts.
“Others, who work, are coping until something unexpected happens.”
Molly Hodson, press officer of the Trussell Trust, said: “Since the recession , the need for foodbanks has escalated. Even the well established ones have seen a 15 to 30 per cent increase each year.”
