Record number of people are relying on a Harborough foodbank as the Covid-19 crisis begins to bite

A record number of struggling people are relying on a Market Harborough foodbank to eat as the Covid-19 crisis begins to bite.

The Jubilee Foodbank is helping to feed over 100 people and families in and around the town as the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll.

The vital social and economic resource, which was set up in Harborough in 2012, is now appealing for urgent donations as they begin to run out of food.

Liz Mills, chair of the Jubilee Foodbank, issued the SoS after receiving a much-welcomed contribution from Harborough Twenty 12 Lions Club.

Liz told the Harborough Mail: “We are very grateful to the Lions Club for their donation.

“We certainly needed it because we are busier now than ever before.”

She added: “We have 100 referrals to us at the moment.

“We are helping more people than ever before.

“They mainly live in Market Harborough but we are helping people outside the town as well.”

Liz said they are running short of food such as minced beef and tinned steak.

“We do not need any more volunteers but we would certainly appreciate all food donations.

“People in Harborough have always been very generous and we couldn’t do it without them,” she stressed.

“The Covid-19 emergency is definitely making the situation worse.

“There are more people unemployed as a result and are receiving universal credit.

“We are also supporting more older people because not everyone has friends or relatives who can go shopping for them in these difficult times.”

Liz said people were being largely referred to them by Harborough District Council’s community hub as well as social workers and doctors.

“I would also salute Kibworth Foodbank at The Well in Kibworth.

“They have been launched during this crisis and are helping us out by doing a great job in Kibworth,” she said.

Jane Clarke, of Harborough Twenty 12 Lions Club, told the Mail: “We swung straight into action as soon as we heard the Jubilee Foodbank was running short of essential food.

“Our president, Michael Thomas, immediately sourced and delivered a car load of the requested items.

“The foodbank was very happy to receive fresh orange and apple juice, milk, dried mashed potato, pre-cooked rice, porridge oats, and cans of chicken meatballs, stewed steak in gravy, spam, corned beef and custard.”

She added: “All the items went straight on to the foodbank's shelves for immediate distribution.

“Harborough Twenty 12 Lions Club has been a regular contributor to the Jubilee Foodbank because it does such magnificent work helping people in need.

“Our members have pledged to carry on supporting the charity through these tough times with regular donations.”

If you would like to support the Jubilee Foodbank you can contact them through their website here: https://jubileefoodbankmh.uk/And you can check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/jubileefoodbankmh/