Growing demand for charity food for children in Winchester (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Growing demand for charity food for children in Winchester

11:17am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By Wesley Rock

WINCHESTER Basics Bank, which provides emergency food and clothes to those in need, has seen a large jump in the number of children they have had to feed.

In 2012, they provided for 15.7 percent more children than in 2011, whilst the charity also saw a 16 per cent rise in the number of people served with food for 5 days.

The figures come in the wake of the organisation doubling its presence in the city - in an effort to relieve pressure from the Milland Road facility, a new branch opened at St Barnabas Church in Weeke in February.

At their AGM at St Peter’s Church in Jewry Street, attendees heard how demand for their services was at a high.

Last year the Basics Bank supported 2,446 people, distributing 11,859 days worth of food, and 1,068 clothes vouchers.

Moira Knapman, chairman of trustees, said: “The need for this in Winchester has doubled since we opened and we are supporting more families than ever before.”

Before opening the Weeke branch, Lord Plant, patron of the charity, said: “This is an innovative approach that will spread help even further across the city and the surrounding area.

“It would be a big mistake to assume that because Winchester is an affluent place that there are not pockets of people that have this need.”

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, has a collection point at his office in Stockbridge Road. He said: “Our Basics Bank is an efficient organisation that wastes no time or resources, it just pushes help to the frontline where it’s needed. We are extremely lucky to have them in Winchester.”

The charity opened in 2004, moving to Highcliffe in 2009 and Ms Knapman said new volunteers and food donations are always welcomed. For more details call 01962 855774 or email winchbbank@gmail.com.