Fair Frome Food Bank

SUPPORT is being offered to local people who are in need of support to buy food for themselves by local charity Fair Frome.

“The Fair Frome food bank has been set up to assist local people (BA11 and surrounding villages) who are struggling to put food on the table as a result of financial crisis,” explained Coordinator for Fair Frome Wendy Miller-Williams.

“Very often this will be a result of changes in the benefit system resulting in delays, but could equally be an unexpected bill of some kind that can mean money is tight for a short while.

“Claimants are first assessed by a food bank referrer (e.g. Get Set Services, YMCA Routes for under 25s, Mendip CAB, the health professionals based at Frome Medical Practice and Community Hospital), who can issue a food voucher if appropriate.

“This can be redeemed for groceries and now that the food bank is publicly accessible at the Town Hall (Elliott building at the rear). Likes and dislikes can be catered for, as well as dietary requirements, such as gluten and lactose intolerance. Sanitary products are also available.

“Each grocery parcel contains enough food for three days and generally no more than three parcels are issued, but this depends on the level of need of the individual.

“Demand is high and double what it was a year ago. Food donations from all the collecting points in the town are generous and the charity finds that when supplemented by occasional manned collections, supplies are just enough to enable them to cater for current needs.

The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10.am to 12pm.

To make a donation to the charity, please visit the website localgiving.org/charity/fairfrome/

More information is available at the Fair Frome website, www.fairfrome.org

Other contact details are emailinfo@fairfrome.org and telephone 01373 488578.