FoodShare, a food bank based at St Martin’s Church in Hereford, has announced that it will need to relocate due to financial and operational challenges. The food bank, which has served the community since 2019, received notice last Friday that it must cease operations at its current location immediately. Cat Hornsey, the charity’s co-ordinator, assured clients that the program would continue despite the changes.
Hornsey emphasized the commitment of the organization and its volunteers to maintain service, stating that while they need assistance to sustain momentum, they are planning to operate from a new site shortly after the move. The charity has indicated that its challenges include insufficient long-term funding to support food storage, a transportation van, and the necessary licenses for food distribution.
Additionally, the organization faces difficulties filling the co-ordinator position, which has remained vacant since spring, further complicating operations. The departure of a leading member in September has added to these recruitment challenges.
Gillian, a churchwarden, expressed sadness over the decision to close the current facility, noting the difficulty in sourcing new funding, premises, or leadership. A spokesperson from the Hereford Diocese reassured the community that efforts are being made to facilitate the continuation of FoodShare, acknowledging the distress this temporary pause has caused. The diocese has been actively seeking interim solutions to ensure the food bank’s operations can resume as soon as possible.
As residents await further developments, they are encouraged to stay updated through social media channels regarding the food bank’s future plans.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y003xe1z5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss