PLANS to open a foodbank in Droitwich are well underway, with a steering group made up of representatives from Churches Together in Droitwich (CTiD) and the Trussell Trust organising the project.

Project coordinator Graham Wilson of CTiD, said: “After a lot of hard work the steering group have managed to secure space to store food donations, thanks to an offer from Wychavon District Council of the use of two storage units rent free for a year, and we have also found suitable distribution premises close to the town’s public transport links, from which we plan to hold Foodbank sessions twice a week.”

Grants have been received for the project from the Droitwich Spa Area Partnership and the Cinnamon Trust, as well as promises of help from several other local organisations and individuals.

Mr Wilson added: “We will be setting up local food collection points where people can donate items of non perishable food, and plan to hold food collection days at local supermarkets and details will be coming out soon.”

For now the Foodbank project is looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks including warehousing, weighing, labelling and stock control, sorting food into emergency packs, administration, welcoming and listening to clients, signposting to other services, help with supermarket food collections, collecting and delivering food donations, and fundraising.

Anyone who can offer help once a week, once a month or just on occasion, is asked to come along to a volunteer training day, which is being held on Friday, May 16 at the Methodist Church from 10am-3pm.

To book a place or obtain an application form, write to Graham Wilson at grahamwilson2008@hotmail.co.uk or David and Mary Stanbury at dms27@btinternet.com.

Alternatively for more information, visit droitwichspa.foodbank.org.uk or write to info@droitwichspa.foodbank.org.uk.