Successful Food Bank Closes

Jason Park And Susan Forman preparing parcels

A busy north-east food bank is shutting down just days before Christmas despite handing out nearly 7,000 parcels over the last three years.

The Joseph Storehouse in Peterhead is the town’s only regular food bank and operates out of the Apex Centre on Broad Street.

But today the volunteers will distribute food to the needy for the very last time after organisers announced the project will cease altogether.

In a statement, the food bank team said: “After this date no more food packs will be distributed from the Apex Centre.

“Thank you all for the support and donations we have received over the last three years. Since opening, the Joseph Storehouse has distributed almost 7,000 food packs to people in the Peterhead area.

“Without your support, the work done by the food bank would not have been possible.”

The food bank distributed packages throughout the year and is especially in demand during winter.

In January 2015 volunteers helped feed affected staff from the Northbay Pelagic fish factory which was destroyed in a blaze.

The reason for the sudden closure of the project has not been made public however it is understood the decision was not due to a lack of funding.

Earlier this year Joseph Storehouse successfully applied for £10,000 of grant funding from community scheme Your Voice Your Choice. It is understood around half of this cash has already been spent.

Last night a Your Voice Your Choice spokesman said: “This will be a huge loss to those most in need, and options to provide an alternative service are already being explored.

“It is a requirement of Your Voice Your Choice funding that all recipients account for money spent, and return any funds that are not used. Joseph Storehouse will be expected to comply to these requirements.”

A number of other food banks are available in Aberdeenshire including in Inverurie, Ellon and Huntly.

Although not a formal food bank service, the Salvation Army in Peterhead has a small supply of emergency food which can be made into parcels.