Extra pairs of hands are needed by the Keswick Area Food Share (KAFS) which was set up last month to help those being hit hard by the cost of living crisis.
The scheme works much like a food bank, except that anyone living locally and in need can benefit from the parcels of goods it provides, rather than needing to be referred to it by the social care team, as happens with a food bank.
In its first week the food share helped 18 local families with food parcels.
The team is now looking for more volunteers to help it provide support to the people of Keswick. Anyone interested should go along to Keswick Library on May 17 or 18 between 10am-noon or 2pm-4pm on either day, where they’ll be able to speak to current volunteers and find out more about the vital service. There are currently 16 people signed up as volunteers.
Cumberland Council helped with scoping out the need for such a service in the town, supported the setting up of the organising committee, and provided around £5,000 of financial assistance for buying food. It also provided the rooms, previously occupied by Citizens Advice, at Keswick Library, as a venue for the food share and is allowing KAFS to hold their volunteer drop-in sessions in the library, which also houses a food drop-point for donations.
The food share scheme is open on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm. The food is free to anyone who needs it, though there is a voluntary contribution of £2 if recipients can afford it.
The team is currently taking donations of dried food, tins and toiletries, but people can also donate money as well as pay to cover the cost of a food parcel in advance of it being provided.
More information can be found on the Keswick Area Food Share Facebook page.
Cllr Lisa Brown, deputy leader of Cumberland Council with the governance and thriving communities portfolio, said: “I’m pleased that we are working collaboratively with people in our communities to address issues that unfortunately many of our residents face today.
“I think we would all prefer there not to be a need for food banks and similar schemes, which is why we introduced a Right to Food in our council plan to ensure we do what we can to tackle food poverty and insecurity in our communities.
“Whilst the need is there, KAFS have a great team of volunteers and I’d encourage anyone who is keen to find out more or can spare a little bit of their time to join them, to go along to one of the drop-in sessions.”
