Justin Tomlinson MP today joined Swindon Mayor Mick Bray and Lead Member for Housing Cllr Russell Holland at the opening of the Penhill point of the Swindon Foodbank.
The Swindon Foodbank was started in 2005 as a volunteer organisation offering practical support to those in Swindon facing sudden crisis. This could be anything from sudden illness to redundancy which can leave people struggling financially.
The Foodbank relies on the generous donations of local shoppers in Swindon to provide emergency food boxes for those who find themselves struggling to put food on the table. Not only do the volunteers provide food, the organisation also works closely with those it helps, to identify any further support that person may need, to help tackle the underlying problem that led to the sudden crisis.
The Penhill point has just opened in the John Moulton Hall on Penhill Drive to act as a pick up point for local residents who previously had to travel by bus to Parks.
Justin Tomlinson said "I am delighted to see the Foodbank extend its reach to the Penhill community. The volunteers do a fantastic job not only helping local residents with short term crises, but also with the underlying cause, helping them to ensure that the short term crisis does not become permanent."