Double donation boost for Stalybridge foodbank

A Stalybridge foodbank has received a double donation boost from Dukinfield & Stalybridge Rotary Club and Tesco. 

'Barty's Community Foodbank' - located at the New Labour Club on Acres Lane - is ran by selfless community hero Steven Barton, who was recently awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. 

The Rotary Club decided the foodbank was an incredible organisation to donate to and organised £200 worth of dried food supplies - which Stalybridge's Tesco store then matched by gifting £250 worth of presents and children’s toys as part of Steven's Christmas toy appeal. 

Jan Jackson, Stalybridge North councillor and member of the Rotary Club, explained: "Steve Barton’s food bank is a fantastic resource for people that don’t need to be referred by social services or their GP, anyone can pop in and are always welcomed with a smile.

"People are given a bag of shopping which people need in these desperate times. It’s a disgrace that people are having to access food banks on a daily basis, but if we can to our bit to help then we will.

"We thought, as the Rotary Club, we'd like to donate something to Steve to provide for the residents of Stalybridge and Dukinfield."

Cllr Jackson asked Heather Burthom, Lead Trade manager at Tesco Stalybridge, to shop for the foodbank, choosing items that are most needed - including "lots of jars and tins, sauces, pasta - anything that will last a while". 

We also heard from Heather, who showed us the three trolleys worth of donations ready for the foodbank.

Heather is no stranger to donations. She said: "We have a collection seven days a week for foodbanks, including Sandwich Angels, and constantly donate. During half-term this week, we have given free fruit every day for Stalybridge Celtic's youth team." 

She added that if any other community groups need any support then Tesco would be happy to look at helping.