Can you help Wrexham Foodbank find a new home? Warehouse closed as no longer “fit or safe to use as a food storage area”

Wrexham Foodbank has announced that its warehouse will close immediately due to the current premises being no longer fit for use – along with a public appeal to help find a new home!

The local branch of the Trussell Trust Foodbank made the announcement about its warehouse on Rhosddu Road yesterday evening.

A statement published online explains that for sometime staff at the site have realised that the current premises are not fit or safe to use as a food storage area. Despite looking for an alternative location a decision has been taken to close the facility.

Sally Ellinson, foodbank manager, said: “Despite extensive efforts we have not been able to find a satisfactory alternative location.

“We have therefore had to make the difficult but necessary decision to close the Foodbank immediately until the situation can be resolved.

“Food parcels can still be collected from our distribution centres until the food stocks in them run out, this is expected to be in about a week.

‘”If you have food to be donated to the Foodbank please hold on to it for us and we’ll hopefully let you know when and where you can bring it soon.

Cllr Andrew Atkinson, lead member for youth services and anti-poverty, said: “We have been made aware of the situation and have suggested alternative locations however these are not suitable due to their location.

“We will continue to assist to find the Foodbank temporary accommodation and would ask that any owners of suitable buildings in or around the town centre get in touch on the number below to see how they may be of help to this vital facility to Wrexham’s most vulnerable.”

Earlier this year Wrexham.com reported that over 4,000 people across the county borough needed emergency supplies from a foodbank over the last 12 months.

Data released in April by the Trussell Trust, show that while figures locally are down on the same period of last year, a total of 4,180 required emergency food supplies between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018.

This breaks down to 2,909 emergency food supplies being issued to adults and 1,271 to children.

The figures makes Wrexham’s foodbank usage the second highest in north Wales, with neighbouring county Flintshire issuing emergency food supplies to 6,268 people in the same period.

Can you help Wrexham Foodbank or know of a building it can use? Wrexham Foodbank say the building needs to be approximately 3000 square feet, near to Wrexham town centre with access for members of the public to bring their donations.

If you can help please contact the foodbank on 07538 547971 or via [email protected]