The Stretford Food Bank is a genuine lifeline to the wider community around Stretford, a small market town in the Trafford part of Greater Manchester. They provide emergency food parcels for those in genuine need. Operating by referral, they work with many local agencies that work with the public. All their partnering agencies hold vouchers and can refer people to the foodbank when they identify a genuine need.

They commented “We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide at least three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.”

The foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks, working to tackle food poverty and hunger in our local communities, as well as across the UK.

With the cost of living still on the rise, more and more people are relying on food banks to get them through tough times, even more so at this time of year. Often it’s about the little things, not just food but things like nappies, toilet rolls and cleaning products. It’s also about dignity which is why Stretford Food Bank deliver direct to peoples’ doors, always very discreetly.

We wanted to offer our support to this great local charity, so we got in touch with Stretford Food Bank and said we like to offer you a Christmas present, what do you need, give us a shopping list. And a long list they gave us with everything from coffee to stewed steak to biscuits to nappies. With the list in hand we set off to the local ASDA and Costco we filled up one of our vans.

Ian Haslop our Operations Director and Richard Cowie personally delivered everything in earlier this month, in time to start helping the community for the Christmas period.

Speed Couriers have also committed that once a month Stretford Food Bank has the use of one of our Vans, with a driver, for their collections and deliveries around the community.

The work Stretford Food Bank does is invaluable. One in three children are living in poverty in the North West, according to the End Poverty Coalition and the cost of housing and living in the area is still on the increase. Last year the food bank delivered 2834 food hampers, this year is expected to be much higher.

If, like us, you would like to support the Stretford Food Bank, you can find out more details about how to get involved or donate at https://stretford.foodbank.org.uk/