Sunderland food bank sees rise in demand due to pandemic - here's the items they need

A Sunderland food bank says they have seen more people in need of their services due to the pandemic.
Some of the items you can donate to a food bankSome of the items you can donate to a food bank
Some of the items you can donate to a food bank

Elim food bank, at Elim Pentecostal Church in Eden Vale, is one in a network of food banks in the city who make a huge difference to the lives of those in need.

The food bank, which has been running in the city for more than 10 years, is run entirely on a volunteer and donation basis.

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Food bank manager Granville Hawkins said: “There are people who never expected to be in this position, but they are now because of the pandemic. We also expect more people to need us once furlough ends are more people are laid off, sadly.”

Tinned items are ideal donations for food banksTinned items are ideal donations for food banks
Tinned items are ideal donations for food banks

Elim is one of 11 such projects in the city, although some have had to temporarily close due to pandemic, who give out vital bags of food that, for some people, mean the difference between whether they’ll eat or not that day.

No judgement is made at Elim food bank, which is open to all walks of life and all faiths - and it’s this anonymity and nondiscrimination which keeps the wheels of this vital service turning.

The food banks operate on a voucher system with health professionals, schools, charities and other organisations identifying those who are in need and referring them to the food bank.

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Volunteers also work with organisations who deal with addictions and money problems, so that food bank users can be put on the appropriate pathway for help.

Granville Hawkins (right) with Elim Church Foodbank volunteer Dave Smith at Elim food bankGranville Hawkins (right) with Elim Church Foodbank volunteer Dave Smith at Elim food bank
Granville Hawkins (right) with Elim Church Foodbank volunteer Dave Smith at Elim food bank

::Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Elim food bank can drop off non-perishable goods on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

::Food can also be dropped at the COOP Centre in Hendon on Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 1pm. Ring ahead to check a volunteer will be there on Tel: 07907 667384.

::Anyone in need of a food bank can get a referral number from bodies such as the council or Citizen’s Advice on Tel: 0300 330 1194 to speak to a trained and independent Citizens Advice agent (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm).

::For Sunderland food bank opening hours see here.

Items you can drop off at the food bank

::Milk (UHT or Powdered)

::Cereals

::Sugar

::Tinned Fish

::Tinned Meat

::Instant Coffee/Tea

::Fruit Juice (not refrigerated)/Squash

::Tinned Vegetables

::Tinned Fruit

::Pasta Sauces

::Pasta/Rice/Noodles/Instant Mash

::Tinned Rice/Sponge Pudding

::Beans/Spaghetti

::Soup

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