Mr Skates first visited Matt’s Food Bank at City Church in Llangollen in August to see how the team of volunteers provides support to those in crisis by handing out emergency supplies and offering free hot meals.
Pastor Brian Smith, one of the co-founders who opened the food bank a year ago, said certain items such as tinned meat and vegetables, cereals and sugar are often in short supply. The church building is also in need of repairs after the recent heavy rain.
Mr Skates said: “It’s a sad sign of the times that there is even a need for projects like this, but the food bank is a fantastic organisation run by dedicated volunteers who give up their time to help people struggling to make ends meet.
“Food poverty is rising under the Tory-led UK Government, and charitable schemes like this are having to help more and more. The volunteers at Matt’s Food Bank do an amazing job, but they need help. I would encourage members of the public to donate what they can – either food or money – to help the project continue its vital work.
“There is a drop-off point at the Llangollen Co-op where you can donate tins, packets and other non-perishable food, and I would love to see local businesses get involved too by donating whatever they can afford and making a real difference to people’s lives.”
Food bank clients are given vouchers by doctors, district nurses, schools, the Citizens Advice Bureau and other welfare agencies which can be redeemed at the church on Mondays and Fridays. The volunteers also run Matt’s Community Bite, which offers a home-cooked meal and company every Monday and Friday from noon-2pm.
The food bank was named in honour of the late Matt Price, the former manager of St Collen’s Community Hall in Llangollen, and officially opened in October 2012. It serves most of the Dee Valley from Corwen to Cefn Mawr.
If you can help, call Brian on 07957 728473.
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