A SECOND food bank has been launched in Hounslow in the space of a month to prevent struggling local families going hungry.
Hounslow Community FoodBox has appealed to Chronicle readers to donate non-perishable goods to ensure the borough's poorest people can put food on their tables.
The new scheme is jointly founded by Hounslow Council and Hounslow Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (HFTRA), with collections taking place at ASDA Hounslow.
The first collections took place at the supermarket, in Alexandra Road, Hounslow, on March 28-30, and food boxes are due to be distributed from next month.
Councillor Steve Curran , who helped set up the scheme, said: "We are thrilled with the response from local people, all their generous donations will help make a real difference to local people who are in need. This is such an important and valuable resource for this community and I’m delighted at how quickly we, along with the HFTRA residents and our fantastic partners, ASDA, have managed to get it all up and running."
The new scheme follows a pilot project launched last month by the Feltham branch of the Hounslow Islamic Relief Association (HIRA), in Hounslow Road, which is holding collections every Sunday from 5pm to 7pm.
Hounslow Council said last month it was working with five voluntary groups in the borough to set up new food banks as more families struggle to cope.
Demand is expected to grow as new benefit cuts - including the so-called 'bedroom tax', introduced this month - begin to bite.
For more information about Hounslow Community FoodBox, and to apply for one of two new positions as part of the scheme, call HFTRA on 020 8577 5596.
