A FOODBANK opens its doors in Wyke for the first time today aiming to support people in the village in crisis with an emergency supply of food.

Organisers of the new foodbank, which is supported by the Trussell Trust and Wyke Council of Christian Churches, are now appealing for donations of items, which can then be passed on to people in need.

It will serve people living in the BD12 postcode area and has been opened following a perceived need in the Wyke area.

The foodbank will work with partners who can then refer people in need and supply them with a voucher, which can then be taken to the foodbank, operating from The Hub at Blackstone Avenue.

Alison Cragg, joint project manager of Wyke Foodbank, said the project was run by volunteers and a number of people had come forward to help in that respect. She added that they were hoping local businesses would be interested in sponsoring the project.

She said: “People in our communities are struggling with zero hours contracts, high fuel bills and benefits sanctioning. Money for buying food is limited; parents are going without meals to feed their children; life is tough.

"As well as providing food the Foodbank will offer a café-style warm and welcoming environment. Trained volunteers are on hand to signpost to other agencies which may be able to help foodbank users."

She also appealed for donations of regularly in-demand food items, such as UHT milk, sugar, tins of soup, pasta sauces, cereals, tea bags and coffee, rice, pasta, biscuits and tinned goods, such as tomatoes, meat, fish and fruit.

Trussell Trust foodbanks provide three days’ emergency food and support to local people in crisis. More than 90 per cent of food is donated by the public and many people who go to foodbanks are in work. Every foodbank recipient is referred by a frontline care professional such as a doctor, social worker of school liaison officer.

So far in Wyke, the foodbank has ten partners, including Wyke Children Centre, Christians Against Poverty, Sedburgh Community Centre and Appleton Academy.

Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) welcomed the new foodbank to the area saying he had already donated some food himself and would continue to do so in the future.

"I think this foodbank will have an important role to play in the local community. The best day will come the day they have to close down as there is no longer any need," he said.

Wyke Foodbank will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11.30am and 13.30pm, operating from The Hub, 68 Blackstone Avenue, Wyke.

The Trussell Trust has two other foodbanks operating in Bradford, the Bradford Central Foodbank and the Bradford North Foodbank, which opened in January. Together almost 5,000 people were helped by these two foodbanks in Bradford over the last year.

For more information log on to wykefoodbank.org.uk or call 07941 326723 or 07941 380420.