PEOPLE that are struggling to feed themselves in Tidworth are being encouraged to make use of a new food bank in the town.

The Tidworth food bank officially opened its doors at the Tidworth Leisure Centre yesterday (April 3).

This is the ninth centre that has been set up by the Salisbury Foodbank, which operates centres across Downton, Durrington, Amesbury, Wilton, Salisbury.

Maria Stevenson, manager at Salisbury Foodbank, said the food bank was busy from the moment they opened the door, with some local agencies attending to see how they can refer people, alongside four families who came to collect food parcels.

“It’s quite encouraging that people came on the first day as it suggests we got the word out about the food bank, but it’s a sad situation that people need our services,” she said.

“We’re so grateful that we are in a position to support people; however we wish that food banks didn’t have to exist and that everyone could be in a position to buy their own food.”

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On an average month, the Salisbury Foodbank feeds 600 people three meals a day. This works out at 5,400 meals a month.

38% of those 600 people who receive food parcels are children.

The Tidworth food bank rose from the ashes of the Spurgeons Children Centre, which worked in partnership with Salisbury Foodbank before its closure.

Maria said since the closure, they noticed more people in Tidworth struggling to access the food bank centres in Salisbury and Amesbury.

“At Salisbury Foodbank, we support a large area in south-west Wiltshire from SP1 to SP5 and SP9,” she said.

“We’re centric to Salisbury and Amesbury as that is where the demand is – but we were very conscious that lots of people live out in the extremities and actually there is less support in these areas.

“We used to work in partnership with Spurgeons Children’s Centres and they closed down their centre in Tidworth around 12 months ago. With this closure, we saw a decline in food parcels being used in that area.

“We’ve noticed over time that more people said they need a food bank in that area, as they can’t get into Salisbury and Amesbury easily to collect those emergency food parcels.

Cupboards at the Tidworth Food Bank which was put together by the Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed Picture: Salisbury Foodbank

“Tidworth falls on the border of Ludgershall which is looked after by Andover food bank which initially picked up some of the demand for food parcels when the Spurgeons centre closed.

“Unfortunately, the Andover food bank struggled to meet the demand in Tidworth and so we looked for a good location to set up in the town.

“We spent time getting the logistics in place and trained up volunteers – and I’m very happy to say we opened yesterday.”

Maria expressed the importance for people to not feel ashamed if they require the food bank services.

For some, admitting they need help is the hardest part. But Salisbury Foodbank centres offer a judgement-free space.

“There’s always this fear that people might judge you, but that is never the case with us,” she added.

“I’ve been at a point in my life where I’ve needed friends and family to buy food for me.

“I didn’t know about food banks at that time, and believe me, that’s a very scary and dark place when you know you need help but you don’t know where to turn.

“People that are reading this, please just talk to other people as that’s the easiest thing you can do.

“Reach out to GPs, to your children’s schools or even Wiltshire Council if you are a council housing tenant, as these organisations can refer you to the food bank.

“It takes a lot of bravery to admit that you need help.

“Our website lists the best avenues for people to pursue and there’s a free phone number that people can use (0808 2082138) to chat with trained advisors about problems and signpost the best support.

“If they deem that you need a food parcel, they would raise that voucher for you, which you could take to a food bank centre to redeem for three days worth of emergency food.”

The Salisbury Foodbank also offers a fresh fruit and veg delivery to complement the emergency food parcels.

Volunteers are needed for the Tidworth food bank on Thursdays (3.15pm to 5.30pm) and helpers are needed in Salisbury at St Pauls on Wednesdays and Fridays (both 10.40am to 2.15pm) and at the Bemerton Foodbank Centre on Tuesday afternoon/early evenings.

Visit the Salisbury Foodbank website for more information and a list of all food bank centre locations.