Shock as Welshpool Foodbank shuts
Visitors to its web site were met by the short message that simply stated “Welshpool and District Foodbank has now closed. Thank you for all your support.”
And later on, a statement was posted to its Facebook page by lead organiser Rob Field which informed supporters of the decision the reasoning behind it.
The Foodbank was launched in 2013 and according to the statement, it has provided over 121,000 meals to over 13,000 people in need with a whopping 188 tons of food distributed. This includes food donated to other local food poverty projects and charities.
It operated on a referral voucher system from the Kingswood Church in Welshpool and had become a vital resource for many in and around the town.
Mr Field explained that negotiations had been on-going with another group to take on the resource, but this had recently fallen through.
He added that the Trussell Trust, the anti-poverty charity, was working to find a stop-gap solution “until a new foodbank can open”.
Here is the statement in full from Rob Field on behalf of the Welshpool Foodbank team:
Dear foodbank supporters.
It is with sadness that we share the news that Welshpool & District Foodbank will permanently close its doors on 31st August 2026.
After over 13 years of serving our community, we can longer carry on. The Foodbank was started and has been subsidised by Kingswood Church from the beginning.
With my wife Denise, we have project managed the foodbank, and along with our wonderful volunteers we ran the weekly sessions, preparing emergency food parcels and meeting clients and referral partners etc. Over the last year I have been battling health issues and after treatment can no longer carry on foodbank.
We have been working with Trussell (Trust) for quite a while to find a group who could take on the foodbank so that there would be a smooth transition of provision. We had hoped that this was going to be the case, but we have learned that a potential possibility has just fallen through.
Trussell Trust are working for a stop-gap solution until a new foodbank can open and we will be helping them toward that end. We will be passing on food, storage racking, and other foodbank related equipment to the new foodbank. We are in active discussion with Trussell and local charities, but we do not know yet what the full picture of the short-term or long-term cover will be.
The impact you have made:
You have helped us feed thousands of local families during the time we have been open. Because of your generosity many individuals and families in food poverty have found hope and have been fed.
Since we opened in 2013.
· Over 121,000 meals to over 13,000 people
· Over 188 tons of food distributed. This includes food donated to other local food poverty projects & charities.
Thank-You.
We cannot thank you enough for helping us to buy and distribute food to people in need over the years, but we ask you to now cancel any Direct Debits or Standing orders you generously make to the foodbank. Any residual funds, we will be passing on to the new foodbank or to the Trussell Trust.
To all the churches, supermarkets and their community champions, shops, schools, young farmers, scout groups, businesses, clubs, families, individuals and for all the volunteers that have helped over the years we thank you for your kind support.
With our sincere appreciation and gratitude,
Rob & Welshpool & District Foodbank team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|