Wooler Food Bank now considered 'a vital permanent service for the community'

Wooler and Glendale Food Bank, managed by the Glendale Gateway Trust, has become a lifeline for a number of local families.

The number of people relying on the service sky-rocketed during the Covid pandemic, but the food bank is still supplying weekly parcels to around 10 families per week.

What once was generally a service for people who were on Universal Credit is now being used by people who work full time, but are still struggling to buy necessities.

After it became clear that people in the area, between Wooler and Powburn, were struggling but uncomfortable reaching out for help, the Glendale Gateway Trust set up a new initiative that doesn’t require any face-to-face contact.

The Community Share Shed has been created outside the Cheviot Centre – considered the hub of the community and therefore an ideal base – and involves people dropping off surplus items for sharing, such as fruit, salad, vegetables and eggs.

The food bank was able to set up the shed thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, and anyone in need can just go along and pick items up.

Partnership working is at the "very core" of what the food bank does. One example of this is the way it works with Northumberland Log Bank, by sending people in its direction if they are struggling to warm their homes.

Gemma Douglas, project and community development officer, said: “Since taking on the operation and management of the Wooler and Glendale food bank in March 2020, we have seen a steady increase in the number of people accessing it across Glendale. The pandemic, followed closely by the cost of living crisis, means we now consider this a vital permanent service for the community to be able to access.

“We have donation points across the area at the Cheviot Centre, Wooler Co-op and Lowick Village Store, and can arrange collection or delivery.

"We have some extremely kind-hearted people who donate to the food bank and we thank them for their continued support.”

To receive help, contact the Glendale Gateway Trust on 01668 282406, email [email protected] or message it via Facebook – follow ‘Glendale Gateway Trust’.