Coronavirus: Wigan charity urges people to keep making donations to its food bank

Abigail Woodcock, Keely Dalfen, Ben Winstanley, Sue Bode and Greg Robinson, volunteers at The Brick

The coronavirus pandemic has seen a drop in the number of items given to The Brick, with stock at its food bank and at the night shelters running extremely low.

It comes after warnings that stockpiling goods, a shortage of essential supplies in supermarkets and more people self-isolating could affect food banks across the country.

The Brick is calling on Wiganers to help replenish supplies in any way they can and continue helping people in need.

It is particularly important at this time, as there are concerns about what will happen to families if schools shut their doors.

Items needed include long-life and powdered milk, anti-bacterial cleaning supplies, canned meat, fish, canned vegetables, hot dogs, cereals, pasta, bread, sugar, socks and underwear.

Louise Green, CEO at The Brick, said: “We are fortunate to have an extremely generous community and a great sense of community spirit across our borough and we hope that in these unprecedented times that our community will once again come together to help those in our community facing poverty.

“If anyone can just add one or two items into their shopping basket for The Brick it really would help as we need a supply of basic food items to keep the people in our community who need our help the most fed.

“We are also aware that, should the schools close, that many families will be facing food poverty without the provision of free school meals, so any supplies we can gather now will help families over the coming weeks and months.”

The Brick will collect donations directly from people’s homes, should they be unable to visit the food bank, and to adhere to social distancing measures, the collections can be made from the doorstep so no social contact needs to take place.

The Brick’s food bank, which is on Market Street in Wigan, is open Monday to Friday from 1pm to 4pm and all major supermarkets in Wigan have baskets at the exit to drop off any food items for the charity.

To arrange a collection from your home or business, call 01942 236953.