Food Bank Goes Permanent In Borehamwood

3 July 2013, 06:00

A food bank that has fed nearly 200 people in its three month pilot has been made a permanent service in Borehamwood.

The service is run at St Teresa's Church two days a week by the Elstree and Borehamwood Christian Council.

Chair, Kristan Payne, told Heart the food bank has been popular but its still in the early stages where people are finding out about them

She says:

"The food bank system has been going for quite a while but its grown dramatically over the last two year, I think mainly everybody is feeling the pinch with the financial crisis as it is, the government is paring back on benefits the crisis loans have been removed."

Heart spoke to David who's used the food bank three times already:

"I get literally £100 a fortnight, I’ve got to top my rent up by £22, by the time I get gas and electric everything else is out the window"

People like David, who are struggling financially, can get other kinds of help from the food bank

There’s an adviser at the church who can give information on services like benefits, healthcare and bus timetables.

David says:

"Its not just the simple fact of coming down to get some food its actually somewhere to come and have a chat and find out information as well"

The food bank is open on Monday afternoons between 1pm and 3:30pm and Thursday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm at St Teresa's Church on Shenley Road.

They're accepting food and toiletries donations.