Published: Monday, 5th October, 2009 8:00am

Bank on coping with any crisis

by Rose Harland

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A SCHEME to stop people living on the breadline from going hungry has been launched.

Kerith Community Church has unveiled the Bracknell Area Foodbank which, as well as dishing out nutritionally balanced emergency food for those in need, will also offer support and advice.

The Foodbank, which was launched on Wednesday last week, operates as part of a national network initiated by the Trussell Trust. It aims to break the cycle of poverty by putting people in touch with agencies who help them further.

Catriona Mitchell, Director of Kerith in the Community, said: "Even in an affluent area such as Bracknell, people can move from coping to crisis very quickly, whether that be through redundancy, mortgage and rent payments, house repossessions, debt, illness, bereavement, or benefit delay.

"So we were delighted to host so many partner organisations at the launch as they will be vital in sending those in need along to the centre."

Wednesday's launch was attended by Bracknell Forest Borough Mayor Bob Wade and his wife, Maggie, Town Mayor Chas Baily and his wife, Sandie, as well as leader of Bracknell Forest Council, Paul Bettison and his wife, Jean. Simon Benham, senior pastor of Kerith Community Church, opened the event and said: "It was an excellent evening, with a wide cross section of community representatives coming to hear what the Foodbank has to offer.

"Many of them commented that this was something Bracknell has needed for some time, and all seemed willing and keen to partner with us on it."

Other speakers at the launch included Pauline Martyn, of Bracknell Home Start, and Pat Hallett, Bracknell Area Foodbank manager.

She said: "Food can be donated by the people of Bracknell, and volunteers will sort it into packs containing enough food for three days.

"We are partnering with front-line care professionals who will identify those in crisis and give them a voucher, which they can then exchange at the Foodbank for a warm welcome, a hot drink and a food pack."

A number of Bracknell primary schools have already agreed to donate food from their Harvest festivals, and Foodbank staff are looking into teaming up with supermarkets and other churches.

* If you are interested in donating time, food or money, contact Catriona Mitchell on 01344 862699.