ST ANDREW'S CHURCH, ECCLES OFFERS A HELPING HAND TO THOSE IN NEED

Today we visited St Andrews Church in Eccles to have a look at the sterling work being done by Salford Foodbanks in the local area supplying families with much needed food and other essentials from their Foodbank and to drop off some money for them which was kindly raised by Glenn Kennedy who donated his fee for family tree research to our foodbank appeal.

The Foodbank is open twice a week, Monday from 1pm -3pm and Thursday from 10am -12pm, I must stress that you have to be referred there from the Citizens Advice, Eccles Gateway or a similar body who give out vouchers which you swap for food.

You can have two large bags of food which contains, cereal, tinned foods, rice, pasta, sauces, teabags which should feed a family for three days as well as this there are other items you can have including soap, toothpaste, tampons, shower gel, and miscellaneous tins of food and spices.

The vouchers are given three times every six months, however service users can use other local Foodbanks such as Mustard Tree, Loaves and Fishes as well as this one which you can join for a few pound and select the items you want.

The volunteers Carolyn and Jane told me that they serve around 20 families, twice a week, the food is mainly donated in baskets they leave at local supermarkets including Tesco and Morrisons, the other food is from Salford Foodbank based on Kansas Avenue, Salford.

Whilst we were there one service user who wished to remain anonymous told us:

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"I suffered an extreme state of psychosis in November 2021 leading to a breakdown from which I was sectioned, so by having St Andrew's to pop into and grab some essentials rather than go without because supermarkets are just a nightmare for people like me with the lighting, smells and packed aisles just to name a few things.

It is truly a life saver for me and I can't thank these people enough"

 

As well as the Foodbank there is a member of staff from The Citizens Advice Bureau on hand to guide users through the minefield of applying for Benefits and general advice, tea and coffee is available and spaced where you can chat and relax.

Personally speaking I was humbled to see the good work these people do helping the less fortunate with a smile on their faces and kind words for the users and they are volunteers remember.

Finally I must say a word about the Church which has a fascinating history and superb stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe one of the greatest Victorian designers of stained glass, call in you won't be disappointed and why not drop off a few tins of food or toiletries and help these good people out.