A community foodbank held in Farnley for the first time this week is due to become a regular event.
The foodbank, at the Butterbowl Pub car park, is the idea of the Community Soul Wortley project, which offers free services to the Wortley community to people in need.
Five families were fed via the foodbank.
Community Soul Wortley founder Daron Branston said the project wants to help people who may struggle to do certain tasks/jobs in their homes because of poor health or illness. It will support low-income families and single parents and bring the community together. Mr Branston said:
“I think it’s very important to look after the people in your community who need some help or assistance, sadly the community spirit is no longer the same as it used to be.
“We are a group of likeminded caring people that have the ability to help and most importantly want to help you.”
Mr Branston set up the group to help his own mental health issues, and said that helping other people made him feel better.
In the past two weeks, the Farnley food bank and a similar food bank at The Hanover Arms in Wortley (which runs Thursdays 1-3pm) had fed 18 families in two weeks. He has plans for a pay as you feel food shop and would also like a permanent base on Lower Wortley Road. He added:
“I just wanted to say thank you to the residents of Farnley, who were more than welcoming and very friendly when I did the foodbank earlier at the Butterbowl. This will be a weekly thing from now on – every Thursday, Butterbowl pub car park at 10am.
“Even if you don’t need food I am happy to help in any way I can.”
Mr Branston thanked all the volunteers and people who had donated food, including Vulnerable Citizens Support.
More volunteers are welcome – more details via the Community Soul Wortley Facebook page or by calling Mr Branston on 07599 852613.