Ely Foodbank has handed out 25,000 meals in just a year

Daniel Mansfield

Published: 11:43 AM November 22, 2013

Updated: 11:27 AM November 1, 2020

Ely Foodbank has been open a year - Credit: Archant

Ely Foodbank celebrated the first anniversary of its opening this week.

Since the facility was set up, more than 19 tonnes of food has been given out to serve more than 2,400 people in the Ely area - equating to about 25,000 meals.

Cathy Wright, coordinator of the foodbank, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local shoppers, parents and children in giving at harvest time.

“Almost eight tonnes of food has been given through harvest festivals in schools, churches and local businesses, as well as at the standing collection points in our local supermarkets.”

The foodbank, led by Churches Together in Ely, opened last November and has rapidly expanded, with outlets now both in Soham and Littleport and help and support provided to operations in March and Chatteris.

Alan Williams, development coordinator, said: “We’re trying to ensure that anyone living within reasonable reach of our local towns and villages who is in food crisis has equal access to help from Ely Foodbank.

“We have a non-judgemental approach, where people are listened to and helped to engage with the appropriate local agencies.”