A foodstore is to be set up in Cadbury Heath – the first in South Gloucestershire – and the charity behind it says there is an urgent need for one in other parts of the district, including Kingswood, Staple Hill, Hanham, Downend and Longwell Green where many families are struggling.
The independent faith-based Bristol-based Matthew Tree Project is developing a network of foodstores and services to support people to move out of poverty. In April alone it fed and supported 730 people.
There are currently four outlets – in Brislington, St Judes, Knowle and Withywood.
The charity is opening the foodstore in Cadbury Heath in partnership with Juice Community Project, which provides help, support, and advice for the residents of the Cadbury Heath and surrounding area.
A spokesman for the Matthew Tree Project said: “We are in need of groups or organisations to partner with in the opening of foodstores in South Gloucestershire and North Bristol.
“We have a rapidly increasing number of clients having no choice but to walk over five miles to the store in St Jude’s from Fishponds, Hanham, Kingswood, Cadbury Heath, Staple Hill, Downend, St George, and Horfield each week just to be able to eat.”
The organisers are hopeful that they will find a base in Cadbury Heath for the foodstore between now and September. Meanwhile a food collection will be held at Asda in Longwell Green from Sunday 4th August until Saturday 10th August.
Volunteers are needed from 9.30am to 5pm. If you can help, or have any ideas about where the foodstore could be based, contact Juice on 01454 302 302.
For more information about the foodstore project visit www.thematthewtreeproject.org/
Pictured is Janice Suffolk, director of the Juice Project in Cadbury Heath which is helping to set up a foodstore in the area
