MORE volunteers are desperately needed to help local charity Acts of Kindness collect and distribute food for the town’s needy.
More than 7,800 desperate people have been helped by the charity and its chair, the Reverend Robin Baker, says the need is rising all the time.
“The demand has not reduced,” he said.
“There have been peaks and troughs, but overall it’s going up.”
Rev Baker identifies the roll out of Universal Credit in Redditch as a key driver in the rise in demand and so far the charity has handed out 106 tonnes of food to those in need.
“A quarter of those we feed are children and we are fortunate to have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers who week-in in week-out serve our community and without them we would not be able to provide this much needed service,” he said.
He also praised the generosity of people and businesses in Redditch and their willingness to help Act of Kindness help others in need.
“The people of Redditch have been incredible generous to us, and once again the Trustees would like to say thank you to everyone,” he said.
The foodbank is now open four days a week and the plan is to open an extra day as soon as more volunteers can be recruited and finance is in place.
Acts of Kindness is holding a food collection at Tesco in Oakenshaw on Friday and Saturday, July 13-14 where shoppers will have the opportunity to make a donation of food and or finance to the charity.
Food can also be left at any time during shops hours in Tesco and now in Asda in special bins allocated and marked for Redditch Foodbank.
Anyone who would like to know about volunteering should email info.redditchfoodbank.org.uk.
For information on how to donate financially visit http://aokuk.org.uk and click on the donate page.
“Thank you once again people of Redditch for helping those who find themselves in need,” said Rev Baker.
