Tameside South Foodbank issues urgent appeal for donations

Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank has issued an appeal as it is stretched to the limit during the coronavirus crisis.

The number of food parcels it provides has more than doubled since lockdown measures were put in place, while a number of volunteers are self-isolating.

The foodbank, based at Hattersley Baptist Church, is appealing for donations of food and volunteers so they can continue to support those in need in the local community.

Project co-ordinator Susan Ayers said: “During the last financial year, we gave out an average of 17 food parcels per week. The vast majority of those were in Hyde, Godley and Longdendale and 48% of the meals went to children. During the week beginning March 23, we gave out 69 food parcels.”

People would normally need to be referred to a foodbank with a voucher, but as the referrers are working from home, a new hotline has been set up on 0333 772 1916, which people should ring if they think they need a food parcel. It’s available between 10am-3pm Monday to Friday.

“We’ve got more people needing our help, less referrers and less volunteers due to a number of them self-isolating,” Susan added. “We welcome any volunteers who don’t need to self-isolate, are healthy and are DBS checked. Please us on 07901786905 or e-mail hr@tamesidesouthlongdendale.foodbank.org.uk.”

An online fundraising page has been set up for the food bank, where over £2400 has already been donated. You can help by visiting www.givey.com/tamesidesouthlongdendalefoodbankltd, or by donating at the food bank website, www.tamesidesouthlongdendale.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money.

The website also contains a list of food items the food bank needs to continue providing nutritionally healthy, three-day food packages. If you’d like to direct a food order to the foodbank, you can do so between 9am-4pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, although the foodbank is closed on Good Friday.

You can also drop food off at Hattersley Baptist Church during those times, where social distancing and hygiene measures are in place.

Susan said: “All sorts of people are helping us, which is brilliant. Mottram and Romiley Lions have donated money, Bookers have been really helpful in giving us a special account to buy food off them, Buzz Bingo donated a load of Easter eggs they couldn’t give away and Wetherspoons donated milk and eggs when they closed.

“Our warehouse is very compact which makes it difficult to enforce social distancing, but we’ve got a family working in there who live together so don’t need to.

We’ve also got a lovely lady who’s made handwritten cards saying ‘We’d normally sit down with you and have a chat and a brew, but even though we can’t we’re still thinking of you,’ which we put in the food parcels.”

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, such as a dry and persistent cough or a fever, then please do not visit the foodbank. If they do not live in your household, you can send a friend or family member to collect your food parcels. Alternatively, if this is not an option for you, then tell the telephone referral service and they will make arrangements.

The foodbank can only help people who are living in food poverty, which means they don’t have enough food in the house and no money to buy more. Anyone else should call the Tameside Covid-19 hotline on 0161 342 8355.