A ‘VITAL’ service to feed hungry people in Rugby has been saved after it was forced to close earlier this week.
Rugby Foodbank is being kept alive by Rugby Borough Council (RBC) after it had to temporarily shut down due to the impact of the Coronavirus on its volunteer base and the need to maintain social distancing.
The Foodbank has donated its stock, meaning the council can start distributing food with no delay.
RBC will operate the warehousing and distribution of food packages until the Foodbank can return to normal operations.
Diana Mansell, the chair of Hope4 – the charity which runs the Foodbank – said: “I am sure our supporters will be so pleased that the council has stepped in when we just could not continue. We have been getting concerned calls about the Foodbank closing and it is so good to have some good news to share.
“I very much hope that the public will continue to donate food items to the food bank at their usual collection point so that this service can continue.
“We are very grateful for all the amazing support we have received from the community – food donations, volunteers time and also financially.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole community and country at such unprecedented times.”
The council’s leader Coun Seb Lowe said: “The Rugby Foodbank is a vital service for some of the most vulnerable in our community, and we have enjoyed an extremely good working relationship with them.
“In the current pandemic it is crucial that our residents continue to benefit from this last line of support and I am pleased that we have been able to redeploy some of our staff to fulfil this role.”
RBC will open the Rugby Foodbank – at its new premises in The Retreat, next to the Benn Hall on Newbold Road – from 12noon to 3pm today (Friday March 27) for residents with vouchers issued by referring partners. It will next open on Monday (March 30) from 11am to 4pm.
Donations can be made from 10am to 12noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/foodbank for details of how eligible residents can collect food parcels.
