Foodbank on Shropshire border closes suddenly - here's why

A food bank in a town near the Shropshire border has closed with immediate effect.

Welshpool & District Foodbank officially closed its doors on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31).

The foodbank, in Kingswood Church, has been run by Rob and Denise Field for more than 13 years.

In a statement shared on social media announcing the news of the closure, Rob and the team said: “After over 13 years of serving our community, we can no longer carry on.

“The Foodbank was started and has been subsidised by Kingswood Church from the beginning.

“With my wife Denise, we have project managed the foodbank, and along with our wonderful volunteers, we ran the weekly sessions, preparing emergency food parcels and meeting clients and referral partners.

“Over the last year I have been battling health issues and after treatment can no longer carry on the foodbank.”

The statement went on to say that the team at the Welshpool foodbank has been working with the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity, to sort out a “smooth transition”.

However, such a provision fell through, leaving the managers of the foodbank no choice but to close.

Trussell is still working hard to sort “a stop-gap solution” and Rob and the team have said they will still assist in any way they can to help the charity in this aim.

Welshpool & District Foodbank has provided more than 121,000 meals to over 13,000 people since 2013.

Rob’s online statement continued: “We cannot thank you enough for helping us to buy and distribute food to people in need over the years, but we ask you to now cancel any Direct Debits or Standing orders you generously make to the foodbank.

“Any residual funds we will be passing on to the new foodbank or to the Trussell Trust.”

He added: “To all the churches, supermarkets and their community champions, shops, schools, young farmers, scout groups, businesses, clubs, families, individuals and for all the volunteers that have helped over the years we thank you for your kind support.”

Reacting to the closure, Councillor Graham Breeze, who represents the Welshpool Llanerchyddol ward, said he was “deeply saddened”.

He stated: “Rob and Denise Field have given an extraordinary service to our community for more than 13 years.

“Through their dedication, compassion and quiet determination, thousands of people have received support.”

The Welshpool councillor continued by touching on the good work the food bank did during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping countless vulnerable people.

Councillor Breeze added: “On behalf of the community, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Rob and Denise.

“Their work has embodied the very best of Welshpool's community spirit, and their legacy will be felt for many years to come.”