NO-ONE in Tavistock should be going hungry during the holidays, Tavistock Foodbank has said, as it stresses that many do not realise they are eligible for food parcels.

The foodbank is keen to highlight the support available to families whose children receive free school meals. These families are entitled to food parcel vouchers throughout the school holidays.

Rob Weston from Tavistock Foodbank said: ‘Although we do often see a rise in families applying for food parcels in the summer, it does not reflect the total number of families who are eligible for free school meals.’

Linda Metcalf, co-ordinator of the foodbank volunteers, said: ‘We know how difficult it can be for families over the summer, especially if you have several children in your family. Families are able to get up to three vouchers during the holidays — that can be one per fortnight or three weeks running — we are able to be very flexible. We would encourage families to come along, the warehouse has sufficient stock, so no-one in Tavistock should be going hungry during the holidays.’

Linda said applying for a food parcel was quite straightforward: ‘You need to get a voucher and these are easily available from the Citizens Advice Bureau in Tavistock or from Tavistock Children’s Centre. Then you take the voucher down to the foodbank on a Friday, between 10am and 2pm. It’s best to get there before 1.30pm as we have to pack the bag specially for your family. Obviously we tailor the contents of the food parcel depending on the number and age of the children and any food allergies.’

Tavistock Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust UK wide network which aims to end poverty and hunger in the UK through the provision of practical help to those in need. The charity provides a three-day supply of emergency food to those experiencing crises in the PL19/20 areas.

A person in need can visit one of the referral agencies, who will assess their eligibility for a food parcel. A voucher is issued which can then be taken to the foodbank, based at the Lower Deck Café in the basement of the United Reformed Church in Russell Street, every Friday from 10am to 2pm. Vouchers are issued as a result of a specific crisis such as problems with welfare benefits, family breakdown, unemployment and delay in accessing benefits. Referral agencies include Citizens Advice, Debt Advice Tavistock (DATA), Devon Drug Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Salvation Army, Tavistock Area Children’s Centre, TASS, West Devon Borough Council Housing, West Devon Mental Health Team, Tavistock Community Primary School, Devon and Cornwall Care Services, Devon Domestic Abuse Services and Devon and Cornwall Housing.

Rob expressed thanks to all those who have supported the foodbank with donations. He said: ‘We know that Tavistock people are very caring. Though we do sometimes run low in certain items, we have never had empty shelves in our foodbank, unlike you sometimes see in other parts of the country. This is down to the generosity of donors who leave items in the collection points in Tesco, Co-op and Morrisons, week by week, all through the year. Thank you for all your support!’

Tavistock Foodbank is currently in need of tinned potatoes, peas and carrots, crisps, Smash instant mashed potato or similar, fruit juice, small jars of coffee, UHT milk and larger sizes of disposable nappies.

The service has a surplus of certain items, so does not currently need cereal, baked beans, soup, tea, pasta and toilet rolls.

For those who are in need of food when the foodbank is not open, an emergency number is available,07941 436149, where a volunteer will give assistance and provide an emergency parcel. Some referral agencies also hold emergency parcels.