Leamington and Warwick Foodbank is here to support those in crisis

David Davies and Angela Everitt, volunteers at the recently-established organisation, gave up a day to collect supplies donated by customers at Sainsbury’s on June 29, while last Friday and Saturday, more volunteers put in hours at Tesco in Warwick to help provide food to the people of Leamington, Warwick and Whitnash who are struggling to find enough money to feed themselves.

The venture was set up by Warwick district’s only Green Party councillor on Warwickshire County Council, Jonathan Chilvers, who represents the Brunswick ward in Leamington’s Old Town.

He explained that the foodbank provides three days’ worth of food to people who have obtained vouchers after being assessed by referral from a professional agency. Examples are children’s centres, GPs, social services representatives, schools and health workers.

Cllr Chilvers said: “A professional can make a judgement about whether that person is in crisis and refer them to us. We have a list of items - agreed by a dietician - that make up a healthy, balanced diet, but people receive different quantities depending on their circumstances, for example if there are children in their household.”

But he added: “The foodbank is not just about food, it’s about helping people get to the root causes of their crisis and supporting them to get their lives back on track.

“For example if they have a debt issue, we help set up an appointment with a debt advisor.

“The food is provided as a breathing space while we help them find a longer-term solution.”

The foodbank sources its food by working in supermarkets every so often, where customers are invited to buy specific items to donate. While Tesco and Sainsbury’s are already on board, Cllr Chilvers is planning to approach Asda in Sydenham and Morrisons in Leamington as well.

The other main method of obtaining the food needed is by asking churches and other businesses to manage their own collections. The most important thing is that the donations are made in response to what is required.

Cllr Chilvers said: “We ask that people do not do random collections for us. Anyone who wants to help is welcome to contact us.”

The organisation currently has 80 volunteers and four paid members of staff - including Cllr Chilvers. Anyone interested in getting involved or finding out more should visit www.warwickandleamington.foodbank.org.uk