OAPs turn to Brixham food bank in cold weather
THE number of people in Brixham requiring food parcels has risen by 50 per cent since Christmas.
Torbay Food Bank, which is located behind the town's library, said more people were becoming aware of the charity's services and asking for help.
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The cold winter has also been blamed for the take up on food parcels especially from the elderly.
Charity founder Sarah Ready said: "I am delivering to around 130 pensioners each week who struggle to make it to the Food Bank within the local Brixham and surrounding area.
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"This is in addition to the constant flow of individuals who turn up to the open sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
"We are getting a large number of referrals from the local agencies for crisis delivery.
"People are finding it difficult to afford additional heating and food costs.
"We have seen quite a lot of people come in because of the recent cold snap."
Altogether between 180 and 200 people are being helped a week, a five-fold increase on last Easter when the charity was set up.
Mrs Ready said things would only get worse.
She said: "We are bracing ourselves for greater demand when the changes to the housing and council benefits come in April."
Mrs Ready has enlisted the help of Steve Bates, a man with a long history of working in the catering and fish processing industries.
The Brixham man is keeping the food bank open on three days of the week while Mrs Ready delivers food to families in the area.
The charity is asking for tins, fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta sauces and long life items.
To make a food donation call Steve or Sarah on 0845 309 6240.
Comments
by JosefLeninski
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:35AM
“I didn't think OAPs trusted banks. Don't they keep a tin of beans under their pillows in an old sock.”