Food bank appeals for nappy donations

The Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank has added nappies to its list of items in demand to help families living in crisis.

Alex Malone, project manager for the food bank, said nappies were an expensive necessity for parents.

Mrs Malone said: “At the moment we are getting stories of single parents who are going hungry in order to feed their children and are sometimes making themselves ill in order to provide.

“Also the lack of free meals over the summer can make the problems worse. We don’t officially provide nappies, but we do provide toiletries and hygiene products when we can.

“When the Royal baby was born we thought about parents who cannot afford to buy nappies, because they are still necessity.

“For people referred to us for help, it can be an extra bit of help that they really need.”

The Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Revd Christopher Edmondson, said the food bank’s latest appeal was worrying.

He said: “While I recognise the need for change to the benefit system, I find it very worrying that food banks are having to provide nappies for families in crisis.

“It just goes to show that these benefit cuts are affecting the most vulnerable in our society — that is the youngest children.

“But I applaud the food banks in our area for helping in this way.”

There are no other free nappy outlets for families struggling to cope financially.

NHS health visitors can advise parents about the benefits they are entitled to.

There is also a Government initiative called Healthy Start where parents can exchange vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables or formula milk.

The vouchers can be exchanged at outlets registered with Healthy Start. This includes most big super-markets, chemists and some milkmen.

The Farnworth and Kearlsey Foodbank says the main referral reason is benefit delays, which accounts for 33 per cent of all referrals with another 13 per cent down to benefit changes.

For more details, go to farnworthkearsley.

foodbank.org.uk.