The Forest Foodbank has been operating a delivery only service to people in financial crisis who have no food. This started on Friday 27th March in Cinderford with a delivery of 16 emergency food parcels in the Cinderford area. We have now also served Coleford and Lydney. In Lydney we are very grateful to the Council who have been very supportive by opening the community centre and manning a collection point for Lydney residents who are not in isolation, to collect their food.
Anyone in need of food aid will first need to call helplines to order their food parcel, the numbers are on our website and facebook page. The parcel will be delivered within 24 hours but in most cases they are delivered much quicker than that.
We are very grateful to our small army of volunteers who make this happen, from gathering food to take to the warehouse, to preparing the parcels and then delivering the food to the people who need it. Without these people putting themselves forward for this, we would not be able to continue this service.
We must also thank those people who have donated money and food to the food bank. We are in particular need of food as currently we are unable to buy in bulk the items we need. Additionally, many of our food collection points such as churches and some shops are now shut, however the collection bins are still in the Co-op, Tesco and Eskimarket stores and we would be very grateful if people could continue to donate food to those points. The list of items we are in most need of are posted on our website and facebook pages.
If you need help in getting food or medicines and are able to buy these items but are unable to get out, please contact Gloucestershire Community Help Hub 01452 583519 https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub
