A NEW “Dunstable Foodbank” will aim to ensure that people hit by a sudden, short-term cash crisis do not go hungry.
So far, 13 churches have signed up to the planned scheme, serving Dunstable, Houghton Regis and nearby villages.
It is hoped that the foodbank will be up and running in the next few months.
Steering committee chairman Alan Sutton, pastor of Dunstable’s New Life Church, said: “It is surprising to some that there is a need for such a scheme in Dunstable.
“But the rapid spread of Foodbanks across the country demonstrates how necessary they are. They are there for the benefit of those in sudden crisis – where it can sometimes be a case of paying a bill or eating.”
Families and individuals in short-term need will be able to obtain special vouchers from sources such as GPs, JobCentre Plus and social services.
Then they can visit a distribution point, to pick up enough food to cover three days in each of three weeks.
Volunteers will run the Dunstable Foodbank, and the food will be given away free.
Food will be provided by church members and other volunteers who will donate items on a Foodbank shopping list. Volunteers will also be outside supermarkets on selected days.
They will hand the list to shoppers and ask them if they could buy one item and donate it to the Foodbank.
Organisers are still researching possible funding sources and sponsors.
The foodbank is part of a network launched in 2000, run by the Trussell Trust charity. And the Dunstable Foodbank will be the 157th in the UK.
South West Beds MP Andrew Selous said: “Working in addition to the welfare system, Foodbanks have been proven to help turn people’s lives around, which is why I think so highly of them.”
> To offer sponsorship, just email info@newlifedunstable.org or call 01582 534567.