MP urges food bank donations

As we are about to enter the month of November, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has encouraged local residents to donate food to Kendal's local Food Bank.

King's Food Bank provides crisis intervention support through the provision of food boxes containing 3-4 days of nutritional, non-perishable food. The food boxes provide short-term emergency food for people in Kendal and the surrounding areas, who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves due to a crisis situation. The food boxes are tailored to suit the needs of the individual or family receiving them; all food is given freely and without agenda.

We operate on a professional referral basis and are accessible to all who find themselves in a crisis situation Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm. The Food Bank currently works in partnership with over 25 professional agencies including Adult Social Care; Children's Services; National Health Service, Barnardo's, Manna House, Probation Office, South Lakes Housing, Victim Support; Age UK.

The Food Bank relies entirely on donations of non-perishable food items from the public in order to help and support individuals and families. Tim is urging people to donate; the Food Bank has put specific emphasis on items such as tea, coffee, sugar, breakfast cereal, tinned meat products and tinned vegetables as being items they are in desperate need for.

Tim's office is one of ten collection points within Kendal town centre. The others are at:- Kendal College; Kendal Fire Station; Westmorland Gazette Office; South Lakes Foyer; Sandylands Church; St Thomas' Church; Queen Katherine School; St Georges' Church with a temporary one at Asda too.

Tim says: "The people who support and run food banks really are unsung heroes and do amazing work to help the most vulnerable in our community. But as an MP my job is to try and make things better for local people. I have a food bank collection point in my office in Kendal, working with local churches and Kings Food Bank. Any donation will be a great help to the hardworking individuals at Kings Food Bank who deliver to local people in need."

Rachel Ellis, Food Bank Manager added: "Together we are helping to combat food poverty in Kendal and are bringing hope and value to people who use our service. We have delivered 32,152 meals to people in Kendal since we started the Food Bank in February 2012. This year we have delivered 13,199 meals to people so far this year. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Food Bank; with your help we can continue to support many people who find themselves in a crisis situations."