WARRINGTON Foodbank fears the coronavirus outbreak could lead to reduced stocks and staffing levels amid rising demand.

The charity, which is located at Tanning Court industrial estate close to the town centre, was forced to double in size in October to cope with demand.

It came largely as a result of issues with universal credit, zero-hour contracts and people not earning enough to meet daily costs.

The foodbank, which opened in the town in 2012, is now armed with more than 100 volunteers.

Project manager David McDonald hailed the continued generosity from residents across the borough.

“The people of Warrington have donated so much food and we are here to give it to people who genuinely need it,” he said.

But Mr McDonald admits the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has sparked serious concerns.

He said: “We are quite concerned that if supermarkets have to ration food to the people of Warrington, then I think people are not going to be able to donate in the same capacity that they have done in the past, which may make our stocks diminish somewhat.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Foodbank project manager David McDonald

“It is an unknown quantity at this time but we just wait and see and we trust that we will come through the other side of this virus.

“Certainly, we hope it doesn’t affect anybody who needs to use this facility, or that we lose staff because of this virus and maybe have to close.

“I certainly hope that we never get to those extreme measures. It is something we are looking at on a daily basis.”

Mr McDonald also confirmed people living in some of the town’s most affluent areas – including in Grappenhall, Thelwall, Appleton and Stockton Heath – are having to use the facility.

He said: “There isn’t a council ward in Warrington that has not needed to use the foodbank.

“There are still 9,000 children in Warrington living below the poverty line – 35 per cent of every package of food we give out goes to children.”

The charity will be taking up a unit in Golden Square for around six weeks in the summer to promote the support it provides to people in crisis.

And it has issued an open invitation to the town’s two MPs, Andy Carter and Charlotte Nichols.

Mr McDonald says he would be delighted to see the pair to speak to them about the challenges the organisation faces.

“We would like a working relationship with our two new MPs,” he added.

“It would be an absolute delight to be able to be informative to them, so they can deal with the issues in Parliament.”

To contact the foodbank or enquire about how to get food call 07583 080521.