Hillingdon Foodbank urgently needs a new warehouse for tonnes of food it has stored to help needy people.
The warehouse, in Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, contains several tonnes of long life tinned and dry goods, following harvest festival donations in the autumn and two national food collections arranged by Tesco and Asda.
But the lease came to an end officially on December 20 and if premises cannot be found soon, the work of the foodbank could be disrupted or curtailed, hitting the desperate people who need its services the most.
Project co-ordinator Tope Durodula said: "More and more people are coming every day. These people are in crisis and we try to help them as much as we can. We provide shelter and we listen. When they can’t help themselves, we can help them."
Hillingdon Foodbank, which is run by Kingsborough Family Church, has provided emergency supplies to almost 5,000 people in the borough since it began in July 2009. As well as food, the volunteers befriend and support visitors, and give practical help where possible.
Reverend Tunde Balogun, Senior Pastor at Kingsborough church, says the council is looking to help with some short term space but it is not yet available and will only provide for 2-3 months of storage.
"Almost one hundred organisations give out our vouchers and we are hoping for the best so that we can be there for those in need," Mr Balogun said.
Christine Bamigbola, London development officer for The Trussell Trust, which set it up, said the service urgently needed an alternative location.
“Local organisations and the local council have sometimes stepped forward to provide a foodbank with premises, so that it concentrates on the core service to clients in crises," she said."I hope that will be the case for Hillingdon Foodbank on a longer term basis."
Based on current use, the warehouse space required is approximately 5,000 sq. ft.
If you are able to provide suitable warehousing for Hillingdon Foodbank please call the newsdesk on 01895 451 036 or email zoe.drewett@trinitymirror.com.
