From an article in the Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer.
TELEVISION cameras were in Oswestry on Monday to find out more about the work done at the town’s foodbank.
BBC Midlands visited the Oswestry & Borders Foodbank, in Beatrice Street, to speak with foodbank manager Liz Jermy and film the work being done at the site.
Camera crews filmed some of the work being carried out at the foodbank, to highlight the efforts from staff and donors across the region during the pandemic.
Liz stated there has been a 55 per cent increase in foodbank usage during the Covid-19 pandemic, and said a diverse group of people are currently using the service.
She said: “We’ve helped nearly 4,500 in Oswestry and beyond – our geographical area reaches as far as Baschurch and Overton.
“We’ve got a great, diverse group of people who need help. It’s not just people who may be in temporary housing, without a home or without employment.
“People who are in low-paid jobs, in insecure employment, or who have been furloughed or unwell use the foodbank.
“One of the biggest groups in which we have seen an increase in use in is those who have applied for Universal Credit for the first time without having applied for benefits before.
“We support them through the five-week wait and if they struggle at the end of each month, we can support them then because Universal Credit will not go as far as a salary is going to go.
“We’ve had some families where everyone has been furloughed because of the effect of the pandemic on the industry in which they work.”
Liz highlighted the work carried out by local charities and groups which have offered their support to the foodbank over the past year.
She said: “We’re very pleased that we can be here and remain here for anyone who needs us.
“We work with more than 70 support agencies which will refer people to us.
“There is more collaborative work between the groups we work with including OsNosh, the rotary clubs, Oswestry Angels and local restaurants and farms.
“The community has remained incredibly generous across the board.”
With more help from businesses and individuals within the community, the foodbank has been able to provide continued support to anyone who needs it.
Liz also praised BBC Midlands for their support, as well as donors, volunteers and helpers.
“They have been really supportive and they are aware Shropshire has a good working group,” she said.
“We have been working together with the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance for more than three years now, and that encompasses the council Citizen’s Advice, Age UK and other support agencies.
“The group is going strong, and the increase in interest from businesses through the year has helped – there has been so many wanting to help and asked what they can do to help us.
“On top of that, the individuals who have continued to be generous throughout the past year have been a great help.”
Oswestry & Borders Foodbank is set to feature on BBC Midlands on Wednesday at 6.30pm.