Wrexham Foodbank continues expansion with satellite locations

Wrexham families who are struggling to pay their ever-increasing bills have the opportunity to trim one of their living costs. Thanks to the Wrexham Foodbank, parcels of nutritious dry goods are available for distribution to lower income households.

What is the catch?

There is no hidden agenda. The community is trying to take care of its own by collecting food donations and making it available to the poor.

While one Wales MP once criticised such aid programmes for giving handouts to those who were paying for Sky TV, volunteers paint a very different picture. They talk about how ordinary families are working yet still struggling to make ends meet. They cannot afford to pay for the most basic of household needs once their rent payment is made.

Before picking up a food parcel, people must first be referred to the Wrexham Foodbank by one of several area social service organisations. After meeting with a social worker or case manager, a household member may be issued a voucher which is redeemable for a food parcel. Some families receive a series of vouchers if they are having difficulty finding work or otherwise unable to pay their bills over a temporary period of time.

Locations

The newest location is at St. Marks Church which opened in October 2014. It is the newest location to open in a string of expansion as the service tries to accommodate the rising need in Wrexham.

• The primary location is the original Wrexham Foodbank. It was formed in partnership with The Salvation Army and The Trussell Trust in 2012. Donated food items may be picked up from the ARK Community Centre.
• Gwersyllt Congregational Church provides donations at their Hope Street location.
• Rockwood Mission is another satellite location in the village of Brynteg.
• St. Marks Church is located on Bryn Eglwys Road in Caia Park.
• St. Thomas’ Village Hall is a pickup centre in Penycae.

Community Church is another location for free food. They partner with the Salvation Army to provide this assistance to the low income. This church also offers other assistance as well, such as a mentoring scheme for youth and free debt assistance programmes. Another service called Feeding the Roofless gives hot meals, including at Christmas, to the homeless and families in poverty. Find help from Community Church programmes.

The Salvation Army also has many other services they provide in Wrexham. They offer basic needs as well as food, clothes, vouchers for heating bills, and other supplies to their clients. If the client also needs guidance, such as from the ministry, then this can be provided too at the same time a box of food is given out. Find more Salvation Army services for the poor and learn how they assist.

How to get help

A voucher will be required in order to receive food aid. Enquiries about receiving donations and for a referral can be made by calling Wrexham Foodbank representatives at 01978 311076. Salvation Army staff and volunteers are generally the ones that answer telephone calls. They can provide the necessary information so that an individual or family can quickly become eligible for assistance.