This month, Arden Foodbank marked its 10 years of supporting food poverty within the local communities of Alcester, Studley and the surrounding areas. When it was set up, it was never intended to be a long-term project, but the need hasn’t gone away, and the foodbank is more than ever in demand.
On Wednesday, 19th April, Arden Foodbank held an event at Great Alne Memorial Hall to thank all volunteers for their help over the last decade Susan Kinnersley, Manager of Arden Foodbank for the last 10 years, reminisced over the decade-journey so far, and thanked the founding members, past and current volunteers and all our supporters and friends who contribute to the running of our charity.
We were delighted to welcome Sarah Richards, Area Manager for Warwickshire and Worcestershire for The Trussell Trust who recognised the hard work and dedication of the whole team at the foodbank. We are so grateful for their support in what we do.
There are 53 people currently involved with the foodbank in one capacity or another. A few were there at the start, but most are relatively recent recruits, and the committee is deeply grateful for everyone’s efforts within our organisation, from helping with foodstuff deliveries, to the donation of warehouse space and talking to our grateful customers.
In our first year of operating, we fed 212 adults and children from our Alcester and Studley distribution centres. 10 years later the number has soared to 2,337 in the last year. From 2013 – 2023 we have provided food for 5,331 people which adds up to a gigantic 69,500kg of food handed out in emergency food parcels. The local need has sadly grown and we are here to continue to support our community.
Susan Kinnersley, Manager of Arden Foodbank said: “We are sincerely grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of donors. How fortunate we are to be able to help others, yet how sad we are that after a decade, the foodbank is still needed. We will continue to be here until no one has to face going hungry in the UK.”
