The number of people calling on the North Norfolk Foodbank has gone “through the roof” due to the rising cost of living.
The charity is now looking to expand by taking on a larger warehouse, and it will soon be the base of a dedicated Citizen’s Advice officer.
The new space will be used in addition to the food bank's current premises next to Cromer Methodist Church, and its distribution centres in Sheringham, Stalham, Aylsham, Holt and North Walsham.
Peter Wenham, the food bank’s chairman, said: “We need to find double the amount of space we’ve got.
“I’m trying hard in the commercial sector but getting nowhere. Maybe someone out there knows of somewhere.
“If anyone has such accommodation available to let, we would be very grateful for an approach.”
The food bank supports people with food, household items, toiletries, baby items and pet food.
From January to September last year it fed more than 4,200 people, including 1,615 children.
This represents an increase of 38% from the same period in 2021.
Mr Wenham said the foodbank had also provided almost £90,000 in fuel grants over the past 12 months.
He added: “This is only possible with the amazing generosity of the general public and the receipt of grants that we regularly apply for, but recently we find ourselves in fierce competition with other charities for the same funding.”
The food bank can also direct people to places where they could get extra support.
Mr Wenham said the Citizen’s Advice officer joining the team was a positive development.
“For five days a week, that person will be based at Cromer and all of the other centres around north Norfolk,” he said. “It is really exciting for us.”
Mr Wenham, 76, moved to Cromer from Hertfordshire in 2008, where he was involved in a Christian group called Young Life which helps young people living on the streets.
Around eight years ago he joined what was then called Cromer and District Foodbank, which had been set up by Rev Sharon Willimott and Rev Malcolm Nicholas in 2012.
Mr Wenham said: “In conjunction with the Trussell Trust, they saw the plight of local people and rose to the challenge of feeding those in need."
He became the foodbank’s chairman about seven years ago, taking over from Michael MacMahon. In 2021, it was renamed the North Norfolk Foodbank in response to its growing area of coverage.
“Ten years on, although the names have changed, the present team recognise the sad fact that the need has grown, and so we are more than ever determined to meet this growing challenge,” added Mr Wenham.
He said they were hoping to find a space for the new warehouse close to the centre of Cromer - as that was important for its volunteers. It must have around 2,000sq ft of warehouse space, as well as an area that can be used as an office for six people.
Mr Wenham said: “It is essential that there is vehicular access for our two electric vans and some parking for office staff.”
Anyone who is able to help is asked to email chair@northnorfolk.foodbank.org.uk or call 07826 376343.
How to help the food bank
North Norfolk Foodbank publishes a list of items of which there is a short supply each month via its Facebook and Twitter pages.
For January, it has called for donations of long-life milk (full fat or semi-skimmed), tinned tomatoes, tinned potatoes, tinned fruit, pasta sauce, tinned rice pudding, squash/fruit, pot noodles/mugshots, laundry detergent, toilet rolls and cleaning sprays.
Donations can be delivered to any of the food bank’s centres, including its base behind the Methodist Church Hall in West Street, Cromer.
Monetary donations can be made online at giveasyoulive.com/charity/northnorfolkfoodbank.
Help at Hand
This story is part of the North Norfolk News' 'Help at Hand' campaign, which shines a light on people and groups in our community that help others in some way.
If you have an idea for a story in this series, email the NNN's community editor Stuart Anderson at stuart.anderson@newsquest.co.uk or call him on 07584311481.
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