REDDITCH residents now have more opportunities to give charitably to local food banks thanks to new collection centres opening.
People can now donate food in the reception areas at Willow Trees (Church Hill), Woodlands (Woodrow), Oak Trees (Lodge Park), Maple Trees (Winyates), Holly Trees (Riverside), and Cherry Trees (Batchley) Centres until 30th September.
There are also permanent drop off points in reception at the Town Hall and at the One Stop Shops in Woodrow, Batchley and Winyates.
Residents can help local people in crisis by buying items from the Foodbank’s ‘low stock’ list and taking them to one of the collection points.
Food donated by the public is sorted and stored and given to clients in need, identified by frontline care professionals.
The Council works closely with Redditch Foodbank to both identify those in need and to collect valuable donations.
The collection points will take any non-perishable items. The main items they are in need of at the moment are: tinned fruit, veg, potatoes meat and fish, UHT milk, small jars of coffee, sugar, rice pudding or tinned sponges, fruit juice, cereals and toiletries.
Council Leader, Bill Hartnett, said: “The food banks are such a good cause to give to because they really do help Redditch residents in crisis to get back on their feet again.
“I would hope that if I, or any of my family, were ever in a position where we needed the food banks that they’d still be around to help. Without donations from generous members of the public they wouldn’t be able to continue, so we’re really proud of our staff for helping raise funds, donations and creating these donation centres.”
Council staff also held a dress down day on Friday 24th June.
Each member of staff who dressed down brought in an item from the food bank’s shopping list.
