VIDEO: VOLUNTEERS at Warrington Foodbank are bidding to reach out to more families in need after hearing how a young schoolgirl and her two siblings went hungry after being left without food for three days!
The young girl broke down crying to her school pastor as she asked for help because her parents were too proud to visit a foodbank or seek help.
The harrowing story is one of many heard by Warrington Foodbank Project Manager David McDonald, who has seen an increase in usage of 48 per cent during the past two years!
“We had a very difficult situation a few weeks ago, with school children going hungry,” said David. We had a very sad case where a young schoolgirl spoke to one of the school’s pastoral care workers saying she and her two siblings had not eaten for three days because mum and dad were too proud to ask for help.
“We need to be able to reach out to more families who are in this situation. We are not reaching everyone.”
David says many people are “just two pay cheques away from needing the help of a foodbank.”
He says that despite the fact Warrington appears to be a boom town, with low unemployment, an estimated 5,000 people are still waiting to be migrated onto the controversial Universal Credit, with Warrington being a pilot town since 2014.
Many faced six weeks delays in receiving money. Other problems included zero hour contracts, with people uncertain of a regular income and low income which is not enough to pay increasing heating bills.
Meanwhile David says he is extremely thankful to Warrington Borough Council and other supporters, including a team of 128 volunteers.
The council has now donated a second unit on Tanning Court which provides a more welcoming cafe environment for those in need of support.
As well as food the Foodbank is also taking collection of toys to hand out to families in need over the Christmas period.
For more details contact Warrington Foodbank on 07583 080 521 or email [email protected]
David McDonald (right) and volunteers at Warrington Foodbank
