THOSE who find themselves down on their luck in Wickford will no longer go hungry following the launch of a new food bank.
The Gateway Project, run by the Salvation Army and churches in the town, was launched on Thursday.
Those who need provisions will be able to collect them from the Salvation Army centre in Jersey Gardens between 10am and noon every Thursday.
Volunteers will also be on hand for a chat.
Pasta, soup, rice, cereal, tea, coffee and biscuits are among the foodstuffs which the needy can collect.
The churches involved in the project are St Andrew's Church, Our Lady of Good Counsel, the New Life Church, St Mary's Church, the Wickford Christian Centre, St Catherine's Church and Christ Church.
Alan Bliss, senior pastor at the Wickford Christian Centre, said: "It's part of the churches – we are all involved in the Gateway Project.
"We bring food in and finances in and it's a wonderful outreach into the community.
"We're wrapping the Gospel into a sandwich."
Mr Bliss added: "Because of the need in the community we are getting busier and busier with our food service."
Allison Gaudion, a major at the Salvation Army based in Wickford, said: "It's not just the Salvation Army that's involved, it's Anglican, Catholic and other churches in Wickford.
"All the churches have their own volunteers who will help out with the project.
"We have a rota and we have volunteers from each church.
"We will try to sit with people and have a cup of tea and a biscuit as well as giving them food.
"We have leaflets giving debt advice and can help point people in the right direction for help if they want it.
"We want them to feel comfortable and to be able to talk about what they need."
Mrs Gaudion said she expects to have a variety of people coming along.
"It could be someone with one child, or a family or a single person," she said.
She added that plenty of food has already been donated, saying "People can choose what they need – we cater for vegetarians too."
The idea for the project came about in September when it became clear that such a service was needed.
Paul Waldron, children and family worker at the Salvation Army, said: "We have worked with external agencies like Family Mosaic, social services and community police.
"We are all working together, it's not just one denomination.
"Food has been donated by the public as well as schools and church collections – we have purchased no food whatsoever."
The schools which have donated so far are Beauchamps High School, Runwell Community Primary School and North Crescent Primary School.
Mr Waldron added: "The need is getting bigger and bigger – we're here as a church for the community, not to judge.
"Those who want to donate can drop food into the Salvation Army or in any church donation box."
The Salvation Army are urging any local businesses and groups that want to get involved to visit the Wickford centre or email Paul Waldron at paul.waldron@salvationarmy.org.uk
