More food banks are opening every week in the UK, with charities providing an emergency safety net for growing number of residents, many of whom have become affected by changes to the benefits system and find themselves on the breadline.
Staff from Yarlington Housing Group & South Somerset District Council have worked in partnership to support the 'Lord's Larder Food Bank' for the relief of poverty and hardship for people in the South Somerset area
Employees from the two companies generously donated 450 food items to supplement the supplies to the food bank, and work by Yarlington's Financial Inclusion and Welfare Benefits Team & SSDC Homeless unit now identifies a number of local people who are experiencing real poverty and could need this help.
Jim Bruckel, Yarlington's Income Manager commented 'The work done by volunteers from the Lord's Larder is invaluable to people in need within the local community. Sadly, too often we come across residents in poverty on our doorsteps and the people in need are generally too proud to ask for help. We have been using the Lords Larder as a means of getting food to those most in need. Staff made food donations as a means of giving something back to residents who have fallen on hard times.'
Matt Callaghan, a volunteer at the Lord's Larder added 'This comes at a brilliant time for us as our stock has been running low due to increased demand. These food items make a real difference to people's lives and we give a big thank you to Yarlington and SSDC for such a generous collection.'
"I'd like to thank all of the staff across SSDC who kindly donated to such a worthy cause. The Lord Larder gives vital help to families across South Somerset, who might otherwise go without food" concluded Kirsty Larkins, Housing & Welfare Manager at SSDC.