Mansfield food bank will be 'hard-pressed to cope' as winter approaches

Keith Hadfield, manager of the food bank.

Despite closing its St Peter’s Church satellite outlet as the pandemic struck, the Sherwood Forest Foodbank has supplied more than 1,250 kilograms of food since April this year from its main base at The Stable Centre in Mansfield Woodhouse.

Volunteer manager and former policeman Keith Hadfield is warning that although the service has kept up with demand for food during the Covid crisis, much worse is on its way in the coming months.

He said: “Over the summer we have been less busy than expected.

"During lockdown there was all kinds of additional support for people.

"I am certain that once the furlough system ends and some of the pop-up support organisations wind down, we will see a different picture of hardship.

"Need will rise and support will fall. We will be hard-pressed to cope with what we fear will be a tsunami of demand.”

Keith had planned to step down from his role as project manager of the Sherwood Forest Foodbank but the arrival of the pandemic put paid to that.

With many of the team aged over 70 and needing to shield, managing the demand from a growing number of hungry families in the region has proved an extra challenge.

A new lifeline of supplies from Rotary4foodbanks is playing a vital role in helping to build stocks for the fresh demand expected.

Keith added: “Local rotary clubs have always been supportive, and the new impetus from Rotary4foodbanks is proving a real boost.

”Mansfield District Council and their housing team have also been incredibly supportive but there is a limit to what they can do.

"We rely on the generosity of supermarkets and donations from local people to keep us going.”

Keith is keen to hear from others with the experience and time to help him run the food bank.

He said: “At 66, I am keen to find others to share the load as the pressure inevitably increases with the approach of winter. I would really like to spend more time with my family.”

If you can help, contact Keith on 07932 452533 or email [email protected].