Hartlepool church food bank bags Sainsbury's supermarket sweep as demand rises during lockdown

A church food bank in a Hartlepool neighbourhood with high levels of deprivation has seen demand increase during the lockdown.

Published 31st May 2020, 07:00 BST

Updated 31st May 2020, 10:25 BST

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Holy Trinity Church Foodbank at West View typically helps between 50 to over 70 people a week.

Demand has increased since the lockdown began.

But the project was given a big boost thanks to Hartlepool Rotary Club and Sainsbury’s at Middle Warren which arranged for Holy Trinity's Reverend Roz Hall and Rotary’s Alan Lakey to do their own ‘supermaket sweep’.

Alan Lakey of Rotary Hartlepool, Neil Whales of Sainsbury’s and Rev Roz Hall after the trolley dash for the church food bank.

Alan Lakey of Rotary Hartlepool, Neil Whales of Sainsbury’s and Rev Roz Hall after the trolley dash for the church food bank.

Alan and Roz carried out a three trolley collection from the supermarket shelves thanks to store manager Neil Whales.

In a letter of thanks to Rotary President Christopher Humphries, Rev Hall said: “I would like to thank you and Alan Lakey and the Rotary Club of Hartlepool for the very generous gift for our Parish Foodbank. We bought so much food – it’s wonderful!

“Many people and families will benefit from this, I can assure you.

“Our parish has a high deprivation factor and lots of people are in need and this crisis is hitting the vulnerable more so thank you again.”

Reverend Roz Hall and her husband with their car full of much needed supplies for the church food bank.

Reverend Roz Hall and her husband with their car full of much needed supplies for the church food bank.

Holy Trinity Church parish foodbank has been running for around eight years and has grown over the years.

Every Friday morning, people in need of help collect food from outside the church in Davison Drive.

They have also been delivering food parcels during lockdown.

Rev Hall added: “Numbers have risen since lockdown began as some are having issues accessing the £15 food vouchers distributed by the government for school children who qualify for free meals.”

Two years ago the food bank expanded with the launch of a Meals & More drop in group providing home cooked meals at no cost to about 40 or more people every Tuesday from 11am in the church hall.

Holy Trinity also runs holiday club Fun in the Sun every summer holidays for families, providing free meals and fun and games for everyone.

Unfortunately, both the summer holiday club and Meals & More are currently unable to take place due to lockdown restrictions.

The food bank also provides a Christmas meal and party for the community every year.

Read more: Hartlepool Foodbank takes to the road during crisis

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