Ribble Valley Foodbank receives kind donation from good neighbour

David Wilson Homes North West has donated £300 to Ribble Valley Foodbank to help keep the organisation running throughout the pandemic.

Based in Clitheroe, close to the housebuilder’s Waddow Heights development, the foodbank has been running since 2013 and has two foodbank centres in Clitheroe and Longridge with its main warehouse in Clitheroe.

Jane Chitnis, Ribble Valley Foodbank manager, said: “We receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of our donors and volunteers so I would like to thank David Wilson Homes, and all of our kind donors, for their generosity and support.

“Financial donations are always helpful, as they enable us to pay for rent, phones, insurance, photocopying and all the things which we need to keep the service running. However, they are particularly helpful at the moment, as we have to adapt to changing circumstances, and to enable us to buy extra food to distribute.”

Since April, the foodbank has been running a delivery service for its clients, and between April and August 2020, the organisation served three times as many clients it did in the same period in 2019.

Jane continued: “March was a difficult time for us, as we tried to keep the Foodbank centres open whilst keeping clients and volunteers safe. However, our volunteers have been adaptable and resourceful, and our delivery service is running smoothly and efficiently.”

On March 30th, the charity took the difficult decision to close both foodbanks in Clitheroe and Longridge and run a delivery service for clients to keep the project running.

Jane said: “Supporting local charities enables those who know the area well to direct help to those who need it. It strengthens our sense of community, and shows those who are experiencing difficulties that local people care about them and want to help.”

Ribble Valley Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Philippa Stewart, head of sales at David Wilson Homes North West, said: “As a five star housebuilder, we like to lead the way, not only in the homes that we build but in the support and contributions to the local communities in which we build.

“Ribble Valley Foodbank has done a fantastic job throughout the pandemic and we’re delighted that we could help them in this tough time.”