Lancaster, Morecambe and Lune Valley communities step up as foodbank issues plea for help

Food drop off points have appeared in Arkholme, Halton, Melling, Yealand, Holme, and other locations in an effort to help those most in need.

Morecambe Bay Foodbank will then collect the donations on a weekly basis, and take them to the new emergency hub at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, where it will be sorted and distributed.

Changes in the way people shop, and issues with supply, have left the foodbank temporarily short of certain items, which include pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat and fish, rice pudding, tinned fruit, instant mash and baked beans.

Vulnerable people who are having to self-isolate, and have no friends or family nearby to help, are particularly relying on food parcel deliveries at this time.

Joanna Young, chair of trustees at Morecambe Bay Foodbank, said that people from all walks of life, and in many different circumstances, were looking for help, and that people shouldn't be afraid to ask.

To plug the gap in the current short supply, residents across the district are volunteering to provide a focal point for donations.

There are also food donation boxes outside village churches.

Karen Watson, who lives in High Road, Halton, set up a collection point on her driveway, on Thursday April 16, and has already received several boxes worth of food.

She said: "It's become more and more prevalent that elderly, vulnerable and isolated people are needing food and supplies and don't have the usual support network in place with friends and family.

"People have been so generous, I've got six trays full of food here that I'll now be dropping off at the foodbank."

A spokesperson for Morecambe Bay Foodbank said: "We are not closed. Quite the opposite.

"Many of us have now made their last payslip last till now and unsure what to do next.

"Many will have already applied for Universal Credit and now face the wait for it to come in.

"Some will now be beginning to think about applying for Universal Credit.

"We can help, you may never have considered that you would be the one who temporarily needed some food support."

Supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Co-Op and Booths all still have drop off and collection points for donations, and people can also order extra online and donate.

Donations can also be taken to Salt Ayre Leisure Centre between 10.30am and 12pm daily.

Dr Andy Knox, Carnforth GP and director of population health for Morecambe Bay Clinicial Commissioning Group, who is currently self isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, posted a video on his Facebook page, echoing the foodbank's needs.

He said: "I'm loving the community response right now and the way that people are pulling together and showing extraordinary neighbourliness.

"I'm asking you to go that extra mile for people who are struggling the most at the moment."

Anyone in need can contact the Covid-19 hotline number on 01524 932001.