Taunton Foodbank thanks local community for ‘incredible’ response to Coronavirus crisis
Taunton Foodbank has been providing food to people in crisis situations for almost 8 years and thanks to the generous support of local people we are in a good position to continue that service during the coronavirus epidemic.
We are currently planning to continue to open the distribution centres at Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe as previously:-
Taunton – Unit 4, Belvedere Trading Estate open Tuesday and Friday, 2pm – 4pm
Wellington – United Reformed Church, Fore Street open Monday and Thursday 3pm – 4pm
Wiveliscombe – The Silver Street Centre open Wednesday, 3pm – 4pm
This is a fast-moving situation and we may have to review our opening times as the crisis unfolds.
We have made modifications to the way we run the centres and clients will be asked to wait outside and will then receive a standard food parcel depending on the size of the family. In line with government guidelines on social distancing we are not gathering people together in a waiting room or providing refreshments and are reducing face to face contact to a minimum. It has been described by some as a “drive-through foodbank” but of course you can walk through as well.
The Foodbank is there to help those in financial difficulty who are referred to them by other helping agencies such as the Job Centre, Somerset West and Taunton Council, Citizens Advice, village agents, school family and support workers, Health Visitors and some churches. If people need our help and have difficulty getting a voucher they should email [email protected] or phone on 07761 624216 for further advice.
We regret that we will not be able to provide food for those who are self-isolating at home but are not in financial need and they will need to use other services for obtaining food such as online shopping, friends or neighbours.
We are working closely with colleagues who refer people to the foodbank and are planning to begin a home delivery system alongside the current distribution centres.
Sue Weightman, Foodbank Manager at Taunton Foodbank said:
We are so grateful that in this time of panic buying and stockpiling the people of our area are continuing to donate food to the foodbank. We know that we will need this support more than ever over the coming weeks as more people find themselves in financial difficulties and unable to buy food.
To make a donation or find out how to help Taunton foodbank, please visit https://taunton.foodbank.org.uk/.