A social welfare project that has distributed over 7,000 food parcels to people in need over the last six years is looking for a new home.

The Somer Valley Foodbank, set up in 2013, is in desperate need of finding a new warehouse to store its food items – or the charity faces an uncertain future.

Due to a huge increase in monthly rental costs at the organisation’s current warehouse, the charity will not be able to afford to stay there past Christmas.

Somer Valley Foodbank Chairman, Paul Woodward, said: “As well as the four distribution centres in Paulton, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St John that we use for free, we have also been hiring a warehouse in the Somer Valley for the past six years to store the six tonnes of non-perishable food that are donated from members of the public.

“With a huge rent increase now due, we cannot continue at our current location and the Foodbank now faces an uncertain future.”

Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to people who need it the most.

Professionals, such as health visitors, social workers and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher.

The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre where a friendly team of volunteers will offer a cup of tea and help people with their food needs.

With more than seventy volunteers collecting and transporting food, helping in distribution centres, and providing support to those who visit, the Somer Valley Foodbank is one of the biggest volunteer-led projects in Bath & North East Somerset.

Of the 2,000 people who receive help each year, they are referred to the Foodbank for a variety of reasons, such as being on a low income, benefit delays, benefit changes, debt, ill health, and unemployment.

Paul added: “We are looking for an empty building, warehouse or an accessible storage unit which is at least 1,000 sq ft and can be accessed regularly by our volunteers.

“If there is anyone out there who can help, please get in touch!”

With Christmas on the way, the Foodbank has just weeks to find a new warehouse or faces closure.

If anyone can help, please contact Paul Woodward by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 07729 523986.