A FOODBANK has been setup in Littleport to help residents of the village who have been hit hard by the economic downturn.

The new facility was officially launched on Tuesday and will be based at the Salvation Army Hall, in City Road, with residents able to exchange vouchers for a box containing three days worth of food.

The facility was setup with the help of a donation by the Rotary Club of Littleport, which was keen for the village to have its own foodbank, instead of those in need being forced to travel in to Ely for help.

Salvation Army member Maureen Caddy said: “The rotary club decided that it was not logical to expect people from Littleport to pay to travel into Ely to pick up a food parcel because the money they spent on a bus, could have been spent in the village.

“They provided us with a very generous cheque with which we were able to set up a Salvation Army Food Emergency Service centre, which is now open and ready to help.”

Anyone in need of the centre’s services should see a social worker, GP or church official, who will be able to provide them with the forms necessary to obtain a food parcel.

The Salvation Army Hall is open on Monday and Friday from 10.30am-3.30pm. Volunteers and donations of food to help with the fledgling foodbank are welcomed.