Foodbank for struggling families (From South Wales Guardian)

Foodbank for struggling families

8:00am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News

PLANS are under way to establish a foodbank in Ammanford to assist working families who are struggling to make ends meet as household income fails to keep pace with inflation.

County councillor Colin Evans told colleagues on Ammanford town council that Llanelli and Carmarthen already had two foodbanks apiece.

“Use of the ones in Llanelli has grown eightfold over the past 12 months,” he added. “It’s a sign of the times and they are now looking to establish a foodbank in Ammanford.

“Churches are playing a lead in this – and they have recognised that there isn’t a foodbank in Ammanford.”

Both Cllr Evans and deputy mayor Irena Hopkins criticised the attitude of some supermarket chains as the recession continued to bite.

“Some of these big firms throw a lot of food away,” said Cllr Hopkins. “That food cannot be used again – it’s such a waste.”

Cllr Evans also expressed disappointment at the policy of large chain stores. “It’s not the spongers who benefit from these foodbanks,” he said, “it’s people who are in employment and do not get any benefits.”

He urged members to approach Carmarthenshire county council’s deputy leader Pam Palmer with suggestion for the foodbank’s location.

“There are a lot of families in Ammanford who can’t even afford Christmas presents for their children,” commented Cllr Wendy Evans.