Special Report: A Day In The Life Of #Barrow #Food #Bank Volunteers - Interview With Ann Mills (2014)

As part of The Bay's "Meal Appeal" to raise awareness of the work that Food Banks do to support members of the local community, I visited Barrow's Food Bank to see for myself the service that volunteers provide to help thousands of families.

I visited the Food Bank whilst the volunteers were preparing food packages for thousands of families in the South Lakes for Christmas.

However, people in the Furness Peninsula need to rely on the Food Bank all year round, not just over the festive season.

A report out earlier this year revealed that 40% of families who reside in the central Barrow ward live below the poverty line.

More than 5,000 people since April this year have visited Barrow's Food Bank for a three-day supply of food.

This number sharply increases over the Christmas period though as some families find themselves falling into debt and others have to choose between eating and heating.

I met with Ann Mills, who is the Project Manager at Barrow's Food Bank, to dispel some of the myths and stigmas that are often associated with the service that Food Banks provide.

Ann insists that families do not use Food Banks for "free shopping" it is for "emergency feeding" only.

They provide families who have vouchers with a three-day supply of food and then they themselves have to work out what they do next.

Ann says the service they provide is "just a sticking plaster and not a solution" to the long term problem of feeding families in need.

However, Mrs Mills says that most people in the local community understand the importance of Food Banks and donate generous amounts of food on a regular basis.

In the last month alone, they have received large donations of #Christmas advent calendars which they give out to children who can't afford one.

With grants from Cumbria County Council, the Food Bank is making up hampers so that families can have a solid meal to eat on Christmas Day.

In my full interview with Ann, she explains more about the service that they provide, how emotional it can be for families who visit the Food Bank and how you can make a difference by simply buying one extra tin of food during your weekly shop. Interview is property of The Bay/CN Group and has been uploaded for portfolio purposes.