Stark warning as funding crisis threatens four foodbanks

Four of the region's foodbank centres are facing potential closure if funding and new premises cannot be found.

The future of Salford Foodbank, which gave out 5,741 three-day emergency food parcels in the last year, will be decided at a special meeting in the city on Thursday evening.

In April 2019, the charity faced a huge challenge when it failed to secure crucial funding to meet a 24% increase in demand for its assistance.

Since then, staff and trustees have managed to continue their work by relying on donations and keeping costs to a minimum.

However, it is feared the foodbank is just months from closure if a long-term solution is not found.

Salford Foodbank opened in 2012 and is run by two part-time staff and 70 volunteers.

They process and distribute around 35 tons of donated food annually and have helped a total of more than 20,000 people.

The charity's main food bank centre and food store at Christ Central, Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton must close because of redevelopment.

Staff and volunteers hope new, low-cost premises can be found by early 2020.