New Premises, new way of working

 

The Food Bank is fortunate to have been given subsidised space at a new community hub at the Lindisfarne Centre,  Lindisfarne Road, in Alnwick, just across the yard from our old rooms.  The new building houses the Citizens Advice Bureau, Alnwick Town Council, and will also house other Council services.  The building is open to the  public with a council-run café serving well-priced drinks and snacks. 

 

Our new rooms are kitted out like a corner shop, so that instead of being handed a parcel, people choose for themselves,  accompanied by a Food Bank volunteer -  just  take a trolley and  choose from a list of foods including all the usual tinned goods as well as  fresh vegetables, meat and dairy products (when available). 

 

We’re very pleased and grateful  to say that the shelving for the  new Food Bank has been provided by a generous legacy from a supporter, a grant from Northumberland Estates has given us new fridges and freezers and we continue to receive amazing support from local businesses and our supportive community around Alnwick.

 

 

Our Coquetdale Hub

 

Our satellite Food Bank operating out of Rothbury and serving the Coquet Valley goes from strength to strength.  They now have a strong core group of volunteers, rooms in central Rothbury from which deliveries and collections of food  are organised throughout Coquetdale. 

 

Growing Need

 

This winter, the cost of living crisis and inflation in food costs of around 18% have seen demand for our services grow even further.  Thank you to our supporters who have been able to help us provide for a 30% increase in families, couples and single people in our area who continue to struggle to make ends meet in these difficult times.

 

Thank you to our volunteers

 

It’s been a time of change for all of us, but as usual, our volunteers have worked their socks off to make sure our move went smoothly and our new building has the same friendly welcome as before.  A huge THANK YOU to everyone, and a big welcome to new volunteers who have come on board to help.  We couldn’t do it without you!!