Charity issues plea for donations as food stocks run low at Derbyshire-based food bank

A charity has issued a plea for donations as stocks at its food bank in Derbyshire are running low.

By Alana Roberts

Published 22nd Apr 2021, 09:30 BST

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Bolsover-based Freedom Community Project works to support disadvantaged communities across North East Derbyshire South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire who are struggling with issues such as unemployment, debt and housing problems.

Through it’s food bank in Hills Town, it helps create and deliver food parcels to 14 centres across the three areas which are then distributed to those who are struggling to provide for themselves or their family.

But, the charity has recently seen its stocks diminish due to a surge in demand for the vital service – and it has now issued a plea for help.

Freedom Community Project's food bank is currently running low on food stocks. Pictured are Louise Blackburn, Emma Field and Neve Frith at the Bolsover centre.

Freedom Community Project's food bank is currently running low on food stocks. Pictured are Louise Blackburn, Emma Field and Neve Frith at the Bolsover centre.

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Emma Field, PA to the CEO of Freedom Community Project, explained: “People drop off donations at our site in Hills Town but we also have food collections in Morrisons Bolsover, Morrisons Staveley, and Tesco Clowne that we regularly collect from.

"We also get donations from places such as Farm Foods if they’ve got anything in the local area and they ask if we’d like to come and collect.

"We’ve definitely seen a surge in people needing the service over the pandemic which is, unfortunately, contributing to us running low on stock at the moment. We have set things that we like to put into each food parcel, so then you realise you’ve not got enough of say, cereals or standard things that people need.

Freedom Community Project runs a food bank at the church which provides food parcels for 14 centres across North East Derbyshire- South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.They're currently running low on food stocks. Seen Louise Blackburn

Freedom Community Project runs a food bank at the church which provides food parcels for 14 centres across North East Derbyshire- South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.They're currently running low on food stocks. Seen Louise Blackburn

"We then put desperate pleas out to say we’re in need of cereal donations or baked beans – the basic things people need to get by and to live.”

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Freedom Community Project has continued to grow ever since it was originally set up in 2008 to support people struggling with poverty in Bolsover.

Currently, the charity’s food bank is running very low on tea, coffee, milk, cereals and tinned vegetables and said it would be ‘grateful’ for any donations.

Bolsover Freedom Community Project runs a food bank at the church which provides food parcels for 14 centres across North East Derbyshire- South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.They're currently running low on food stocks.

Bolsover Freedom Community Project runs a food bank at the church which provides food parcels for 14 centres across North East Derbyshire- South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.They're currently running low on food stocks.

The charity said it also on the lookout for volunteers to lend their time to support the work of it’s food bank.

For more information or details on how to donate email [email protected] or call 0300 302 0334.

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