Foodbank feeds 5,000 in just three years

MP Ed Miliband visited the Mexborough foodbank recently. He is seen with (from left to right): Food Aware project co-ordinator Mark Dockerty, foodbank volunteer Pat Johnson, charity supporter Tommy Joyce and foodbank manager Sean Gibbons. 180127-1

Weekly Mexborough Foodbank sessions are held at Mexborough Family Hub.

Sean Gibbons, Mexborough Foodbank manager, said: “We have come a long way since we launched Mexborough Foodbank three years ago, providing essential support to local people via food parcels, volunteering opportunities, helping to tackle social isolation and signposting to other local services and agencies.

“More than 1,750 food parcels have been given out since we launched, supporting over 5,000 people in families across our area.”

Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband visited a recent session and spoke to people picking up food parcels, as well as volunteers and staff.

Mr Gibbons said: “I invited Ed to visit us again to see how we had grown and developed since his last visit in February, 2015 shortly after we launched.

“He is very supportive of our work and saw first hand just how much our services our needed locally as he talked to two clients about PIP payment delays.

“Ed also thanked our hard-working volunteers for giving up their time each week to assist those less fortunate.

“We would also like to thank all local businesses, schools, organisations and residents who have donated to us since we launched and continue to support us with donated food and cash donations to help cover our operational costs.”

You can donate to Mexborough Foodbank by dropping off tins or packets of food (including beans, soup and cereal) between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, at Mexborough Family Hub on Wath Road or Mexborough Library, or call 01709 717186 to arrange collection.