TIME is running out for Devizes Foodbank which has just weeks to find a new base or face closure.
Chairman Peter Brearley said that an earlier plea for businesses to offer premises had not produced any results and he fears families will go hungry unless a new home can be found.
He said: “Last year we helped 1,264 adults and 642 children. We often hear stories of mothers missing meals so their children can be fed. If we have to close then a lot of needy people could be left in a desperate situation.”
For the past eight years the charity has been allowed to use a building owned by Gaiger Bros free of charge, but now the firm is redeveloping the site in Northgate Street and has told the foodbank it must leave by the end of March.
Mr Brearley said: “Gaigers have been very supportive of us and we can’t thank them enough. But now we need another organisation or company to help us out.”
Town councillor Andy Johnson, whose autistic son Seijin, 26, is a volunteer at the foodbank, added his own plea to firms. He said: “Once a week Seijin gets his best clothes on and “goes to work”. Peter Moss, who is himself disabled and manages the bank, treats my son and the other disabled volunteers very well.
“Seijin is so happy to go, and comes home with a sense of pride. Finding activities for my son, and indeed for a great many disabled people it is extremely difficult. The foodbank is not only feeding people in desperate circumstances it is also providing a much-needed service to the disabled in our community.”
Mr Moss said: “It’s good that we can support disabled people who volunteer here. They all seem to really enjoy it.”
Mr Brearley said he had contacted the property manager of the NHS to ask about using empty buildings at Devizes Hospital but had not received a reply. He has also asked Wiltshire Council for helpand reminded it that if the foodbank closes the responsibility of helping hungry families could pass to its social services department.
Mr Brearley said ideally the foodbank needs premises of around 840sq ft in Devizes with parking. Graham Gaiger said: “We have been delighted to host the Devizes Foodbank for the last eight years or so. It is a very worthy cause, helping people when they most need it. Sadly, owing to the consolidation of our various works premises and our future plans we are no longer able to offer the foodbank a home.”To offer help ring Mr Brearley on 01380 738070 or Mr Johnson on 01380 829665.