Shoppers dig deep to donate to food bank
KINDHEARTED city shoppers have dug deep to help feed people in need.
Volunteers from Swansea Food Bank have been collecting tins and dried food from shoppers at Tesco stores at Fforestfach, Llansamlet and Pontarddulais.
Food bank co-ordinator Tony Quinn said: "Every time we do something like this the people of Swansea are fantastic.
"Around 18 tonnes have been donated over the past two years and all the food has stayed in Swansea.
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"People are very supportive. Once they realise the food stays in Swansea people want to donate.
"One person came with half a trolley full."
The collection was all part of a national campaign by Tesco which has pledged to top all customer donations by 30 per cent.
Mr Quinn said Tesco's campaign was a big boost for them. "We are down to six weeks' stock so it is coming at the right time," he said.
Swansea West MP Geraint Davies was on hand at the Fforestfach store to help collect food donations.
Generosity
Mr Davies said it was nice to see the shoppers respond in such a good way.
"People are very receptive," he said.
"Last month 2.2 tonnes of food was collected. It shows the level of need and the generosity and support.
"Piles of food have been donated. Times are tough.
"It is very important we all pull together.
"Sadly it is a symptom of the economic situation with rising prices and energy costs.
"It should not be happening. What we need are more jobs to stimulate economic growth.
"It is great to see people pulling together in difficult times."
Mr Davies added that he hopes more stores follow Tesco's scheme.
"It is good to see Tesco donating another 30 per cent of what is donated," he said.
"We hope its lead will be taken up by other retailers."
Research has revealed that around 10 per cent of people have suffered from some form of food poverty in the past 12 months, with seven per cent of people skipping meals.
Swansea Food Bank's centre at Red Cafe in Mumbles is open on Monday between 10am and 12pm.
The centre at Gorseinon Institute, Lime Street is open on Thursday from 10am to 12pm.
gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by GretaCarbo
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 2:14PM
“Well done Juff 'n' guff.
Keep the misinformation coming in and spread the spirit of Scrooge @ Christmas.”
by Gwyddno
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 1:28PM
“Jiffy & geoboy01
I didn't need clarification but, obviously you two do.
Emailed from Swansea Foodbank
http://tinyurl.com/cdlnyf8
Fighting Hidden Hunger : Restoring Hope
Brwydro Newyn Cudd - Adfer Gobaith.
Combating hidden hunger in the City of Swansea
Hi Gwyddno,
Perhaps I could explain that a foodbank distribution centre is located in the Mumbles as part of a network of such centres we will be opening around the City in the coming months and possibly years. It enables the various agencies with whom we work to have another location (which for some is more convenient for them) where they can pick up food for clients regardless of where they live in the City. It is not located there specifically for anyone who might be living in the Mumbles!
I hope that helps you to understand the situation a little better.
Best wishes,
David Ward
Swansea Foodbank.”
by Jiffy
Monday, December 03 2012, 7:50PM
“The Tesco shoppers of Fforestfach, Llansamlet & Pontardawe will be really pleased that this charity has exposed the hidden poverty affecting the residents of Mumbles. No doubt the residents of Mumbles struggle to buy food at a resonable price when they've not got a supermarket in the area. Not that the Mumblers would want a supermarket lowering the tone of their exclusive shantytown.
Is that a piece of cod I can smell ?”
by Gwyddno
Monday, December 03 2012, 2:15PM
“The Red Café is at 644-646 Mumbles Road, Southend, Mumbles.
It's opposite the children's play park.”
by geoboy01
Monday, December 03 2012, 1:49PM
“nice to see the afulent society of mumbles has a food bank!”