Morrisons helps our Skewen foodbank

Our Skewen foodbank which was close to running out of supplies over the weekend has had its prayers answered thanks to the kindness of a major supermarket chain.

The foodbank – which serves the Neath Port Talbot local authority area, is the only facility of its kind left in the village after five other foodbanks had to close.

On Friday last week, it too was facing an uncertain future after the unprecedented demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic meant its cupboards were almost bare.

And despite donations from local business of chilled food, bread and fruit and vegetables for distributing to the local community, stocks were perilously low.

But now – after a weekend of worry and prayers the announcement of a £10 million support package for foodbanks across the UK from Morrisons, the Skewen foodbank can continue its important work.

 “We would usually prepare four or five food parcels a week, but by Friday last week we had made up 31 food parcels”, said Captain Jo Walters of The Salvation Army in Skewen.

“We were supporting people on limited incomes and as well people who are self-isolating –such as the over 70s, and not able to get out and do their own shopping. One was an 82-year-old man who hadn’t eaten for two days. He was referred to us from the COVID-19 Neath Abbey, Longford & Skewen Facebook group”

Jo and her colleague Major Mary Wolfe were making up the food parcels at The Salvation Army hall on Bethlehem Road and their three volunteer drivers were distributing them around Neath Port Talbot.

But stocks were running low and Jo and her team getting referrals from social services, the local authority housing department and local people contacting them for food parcels.

“I was praying all weekend asking God to direct me to the right organisations I could approach to purchase the large quantities of groceries we needed. I had even prepared a list of numbers of companies to call on Monday morning, but before I could do that this email arrived in my inbox about Morrisons and my prayers were answered.

“I am so grateful to Morrisons for this act of kindness because it means that we will still be able to provide food for the people in this area who are cut off and struggling terribly during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Other businesses wanting to support the Skewen Salvation Army foodbank can contact Captain Jo Walters on 01792 324376.