A plea has been sent out to local businesses and the farming community to help find a building large enough to store 45 tonnes of food a year distributed to people on low incomes in the Fens.

Demand is so high for emergency food supplies in the area that Ely Foodbank has outgrown its current storage facility and is now in desperate need for larger premises.

Ely Cathedral, who have helped drive and support the Foodbank in Ely, are asking local businesses, landlords and the farming community if they can help.

Canon Alan Hargrave, Canon Missioner said: “Last year Ely Foodbank, and their amazing volunteers, provided much needed supplies to over 5000 people in the local area.

“The Foodbank provides a vital service within our community and we hope someone can help us find somewhere suitable and at a reasonable rent.”

The food bank has been using the old Forum building on Barton Road but it is no longer big enough to store the 45 tonnes of food which was distributed last year to people in need across Ely, Sutton, March, Littleport, Soham, Chatteris and surrounding villages. In less than three years the food bank has experienced such a huge growth in demand that it now needs larger premises that can offer at least 100 square metres at ground floor level with access to electricity and water.

For further information contact Ely Foodbank on 01353 468262 or email info@elyfoodbank.org.uk.