THE deputy leader of Carmarthenshire county council has described how she was “humbled” by the generosity of the people of Ammanford while collecting food donations for the needy.

Cllr Pam Palmer told members of Ammanford town council’s planning and environment committee that her experience while manning a temporary food bank at the town’s Tesco store had proved “an eye-opener”.

By the end of the exercise a three-and-a-half tonne truck had been filled with items of food.

She said: “It quite choked me up at the time because people were just so generous. They were telling me how they remembered what times were like during the miners’ strike – it really was quite humbling.”

Cllr Palmer was in Ammanford to provide an update on plans to set up a permanent food bank. She said while there was no shortage of volunteers, the hunt was still on for a suitable base with storage facilities, and food was currently being brought up from Llanelli.

“People in Ammanford who are in need will have to have a voucher,” she explained. “It’s simply a matter of ringing through and the food will be brought up.

“The people of Ammanford will be provided for if they need it.

It’s a humbling thought that here we are in 2012 and there are still people in society in dire need of the type of things the rest of us take for granted.”

Lyn Bright, co-ordinator of Advice and Support Carmarthenshire, said food parcels had been sent to 23,000 people in Wales last year.

“We’re looking for a facility in Ammanford because we’re conscious there is a gap,” she said.

“If anyone does have an idea please let me know.”