A FOODBANK scheme offering food to families in need launches on Saturday.

Warrington Foodbank has been launched by volunteers from churches, charities and other community groups and is a franchise of the Trussell Trust, an established Christian-based organisation.

Foodbanks collect non-perishable foods donated by individual donors, churches, schools and businesses. These are then made up into packages, each containing a balanced diet of meals for three days for an individual or a family.

A voucher system will make sure those in genuine food poverty are helped by the scheme.

Coordinator John Dolan said: “The need for a foodbank has never been greater. Parents are going without food, sometimes for days at a time, just to feed their children.

“This can be due to benefit delay, debt problems or sudden sickness of a self-employed breadwinner. Our hope is that a foodbank in Warrington will give people immediate help when a crisis occurs.”

The new distribution centre at Friars Green Independent Methodist Church, on Cairo Street, will be launched by the Mayor of Warrington Clr Steve Wright on Saturday at 3pm.

To find out more about the foodbank project or how to donate e-mail info@warrington.foodbank.org.uk or take food to the foodbank’s warehouse at the YMCA Furniture Store in Time Square between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday.