Rugby council steps in to keep Rugby Foodbank running after Covid-19 impacts charity volunteers

Rugby Borough Council has reached an agreement with the Rugby Foodbank to take over the operation of the service.

The agreement comes after the food bank had to temporarily halt its operations due to the impact of the Covid-19 on their volunteers and the need to maintain social distancing to keep volunteers and public safe.

Rugby Foodbank have kindly donated their stock which allows the council to start distributing food at the normal spot next to the Benn Hall with no pause in services.

The council will operate the warehousing and distribution of food packages until the food bank is able to return to normal operations.

Cllr Seb Lowe, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: "The Rugby Foodbank is a vital service for some of the most vulnerable in our community, and we have enjoyed an extremely good working relationship with them.

"In the current pandemic it is crucial that our residents continue to benefit from this last line of support and I am pleased that we have been able to redeploy some of our staff to fulfil this role."

Diana Mansell, chair of Hope4, said: "I am sure that our supporters will be so pleased that the council have stepped in when we just could not continue.

"We have been getting concerned calls about the food bank closing and it is so good to have some good news to share.

"I very much hope that the public will continue to donate food items to the food bank at their usual collection point so that this service can continue.

The food bank operated its last distribution session today, March 27, from 12pm -3pm and the council intends to be able to open in time for the scheduled session on Monday, March 30.

Details of how eligible residents can collect food parcels will be published at www.rugby.gov.uk/foodbank.