THERE has been a dramatic rise over the last year in the need for foodbank services in Launceston.

The foodbank recently held a coffee morning in the Central Methodist church hall, which raised a total of £170.

This money will be very much welcomed by the foodbank, as they have seen the need for their services rise dramatically in the last year.

Launceston foodbank’s project manager, Yvonne King, said: “We have seen a steady increase in people using the foodbank since October but during January and now into February we have seen unprecedented numbers of people coming to us for help.”

The increase has been noted when comparing them to the previous year’s figures.

Yvonne added: “In January we fed 212 people compared with January 2018 when we fed 85 people; as you can imagine this has put a huge demand on staff, volunteers and food stocks.”

The foodbank stock more than just food, as they can also provide cleaning products and toiletries, including nappies.

Events such as the recent coffee morning are essential for the foodbank’s survival and for it to be able to provide the community as well as it does.

It’s also an opportunity to hear about the problems people face.

Yvonne said: “The coffee morning went really well with a great turnout. We had the chance to chat with several people including clients from Bowden Derra and Launceston Day Care Centre as well as Cllr Gemma Massey and Jess Williams.

“It’s great to chat to people as we not only keep our work in the public eye but get a chance to hear people’s problems that we can either help with, or sign post them on to another agency or group. Sometimes it’s just good to talk!”

The community remains a vital part of enabling the foodbank to run, and Yvonne was keen to thank them for their support.

“Without the community’s donations we would not exist. It is so important that we continue to raise awareness of why the foodbank is needed in Launceston and how it works. The community we live in are tremendously generous with their donation of food. We have collecting boxes at Tesco, Co-ops in town and at Newport plus numerous schools and churches also have collecting points.

“Whether it’s one tin of vegetables or a packet of biscuits; all donations are important and we cannot get over how generous some people can be.

“I would like to thank the community for the donations they give not to just the foodbank but to our charity shop also at Newport. The charity shop funds the foodbank; without the charity shop funds we could not open the foodbank five mornings a week; we receive no government funding so we are completely self funded.

“We do have an urgent appeal out at present for food as our stocks are extremely low. In particular tinned potatoes, tinned meat, rice, tinned tomatoes, sugar and toiletries. We are also asking for size 4, 5 and 6 nappies but we do appreciate these are expensive items.”

For more information, visit the foodbank’s Facebook page.