Recognition for Salvation Army’s Woodbridge food bank

Members of the Salvation Army church in Woodbridge welcomed a special guest last week when the High Sheriff of Suffolk paid a visit to their food bank.

Edward Creasy was in town to present the church and charity with The Suffolk Award in recognition of outstanding service to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Major Alan Hill, Salvation Army leader in Woodbridge, said the food bank had been exceptionally busy from April to December, making and delivering around 120 food parcels each week.

He added: “We have also been providing whatever was needed, including furniture and electricity, as well as food. We were making up meals in packs of six and The Pavilion Café in the town was also helping us.”

Alan paid tribute to the band of volunteers who helped keep the food bank running during the pandemic.

He said: “We were covering the area from Ipswich to Leiston. We had five volunteers who did about 40 deliveries a week and five volunteers actually running the food bank. Most of them worked throughout the pandemic and things got really intensive. We couldn’t have done it without them and their willingness to help the community through difficult times.”

Alan said The Salvation Army worked with other organisations, including East Suffolk and Suffolk County Councils. He hailed the efforts of everyone involved.

He added: “I’ve never known anything like this, and it’s been amazing how everyone  has pulled together, with the food bank on the front line.”