These are uncertain times and there is a strong likelihood that all our lives and daily routines will be affected even further by the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite these circumstances Newcastle West End Foodbank will endeavour to keep our food distribution services operating where practical and safe to do so. The people that use our services will still need food to feed their families and their numbers are likely to increase as the COVID-19 outbreak deepens within our communities and neighbourhoods.
To maintain our services, a series of measures have been introduced as we seek to minimise the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. For the meantime we will maintain our usual food-parcel distribution services and adjust our opening times to make this safer and more efficient for volunteers and service users. Sadly, this will involve the suspension of social gatherings on site, ceasing hot meals, cooking classes and face to face advocacy, to focus on getting food-parcels to those unable to afford to buy it.
Operations at our Foodbank follow NHS and Trussell Trust recommendations and comply with the latest government guidance on the Coronavirus situation. These include social distancing, PPE use, regular hand washing and the uses of hand-sanitisers. This admirable work is only possible by the enduring commitment of our volunteers and their compassion to help others and keep them safe in their time of need.