Donations sparked by Bradford Food Bank shortage (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Donations sparked by Bradford Food Bank shortage

7:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

A kind-hearted stranger has responded to the plight of hungry people in Bradford by donating £400 worth of items after the Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed how the district’s main food bank was struggling under growing demand.

The T&A revealed this week that in August Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank handed out 308 parcels – the most since it started in 2004 and more than six times the monthly amount handed out two years ago.

And schools in some areas of the district worst affected by poverty are holding cookery lessons on a Friday so pupils have a meal to take home with them.

Following the T&A story, at least 20 schools, community groups and individuals have rang the charity pledging help, including a man calling to find out which food items were needed the most. He visited the charity this week with bags of food.

Ken Leach, the Food Bank co-ordinator, said: “We are very grateful for the coverage because we have had some phone calls with schools agreeing to donate food from their Harvest Festival events.

“The Islamic Relief Society has also dropped more food off for us.

“We need more food because I think we will have handed out the same amount of parcels in September judging by the way it has gone so far this month.”

Responding to comments about those claiming food, including claims that those receiving food parcels may have big televisions at home, Mr Leach said: “Some people do not seem to understand that the benefits system does not always work perfectly even if people are claiming benefits.

“These can be stopped or suspended, therefore they need food in particular times.

“Organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau will see whether people are receiving benefits or not before they decide whether they will offer food parcels or not.”