Slough Foodbank has had to adapt and react to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis says manager Sue Sibany-King.

Volunteers have been down by 35 per cent because so many were in vulnerable age categories, while the number of people needing help has almost doubled.

Shopping restrictions on ordinary buyers has also cut donations of food and toiletries.

Sue said: “These are definitely unprecedented times and Slough Foodbank is needed more than ever. We have had to adapt and react quickly, with our aim continuing to be to give food parcels to those in need, while at the same time keeping everyone safe.

"I have been amazed and touched by the overwhelming positive responses we have received from people across the Slough area from businesses, to community groups, to individuals. All pulling together to help those less fortunate in our community."

Sue returned home one night to a call from a 111 nurse saying a man in his late 60s with a 95 year old mum was in need of food. He had no money and was waiting for his next payments. His mother kept saying that she was hungry.

Sue went back to warehouse and packed a three day food parcel. She called a friend at SloughCovid19 a mutual aid group, who delivered it to the man and his mum that evening.

The foodbank has adjusted quickly to new emergency working methods, operating from behind closed doors to keep volunteers and clients safe while pre-packing parcels in distribution centres to facilitate a quicker process.

A Crowdfunder page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sloughfoodbank has also been set up raising £3,496 in less than three days.

SEGRO, which owns Slough Trading Estate donated a packing venue, while Slough Community Transport donated the chairs.

Sainsbury's drivers and managers have also made large donations.

The foodbank is completely out of sponge puddings and deodorants for its three day emergency packs and the shelves are running low on many other items. See the April Shopping List https://slough.foodbank.org.uk/give-help-2/foodbank-wishlist/

Slough Foodbank provides three days supply of non-perishable foods to help local people in food crisis, who are assessed then referred by one of over 145 local, professional agencies. Last year we supplied over 4780 food parcels.