A FOOD bank is to be set up in Pershore to tackle deprivation in the town and the surrounding areas.

The scheme will be part of the national Trussell Trust organisation and is being run by Churches Together in Pershore.

Volunteers from the town’s three churches are hoping the foodbank will be up and running within six months.

However, before they can open they must collect three tonnes of food which can then be divided out to people living in the area who are struggling to put food on the table for their themselves and their families.

Judy Dale, a church warden from Pershore Abbey, said the three churches had a big task ahead of them as they believe a lot of people will make use of the service when it is up and running.

“The need has been noticed around,” she said. “I did some research last year about the number of people in this area who suffer from urban and rural deprivation.

It will take careful planning but we are hoping for it to be set up within six months.

“It is also the 30th anniversary of the Churches Together.

It gives us a very good thing to work on together.”

Donations of non-perishable food are now being collected, and the people behind the food bank project are also need storage space near the town centre.

For more information, call Reverend Mark Jennings on 01386 556088.