Gosport charity boss says coronavirus hardship 'going to get worse' - but local residents keep food bank stocked up

Staff from Jacob’s Well Care Centre, in Gosport, are working from home running a food bank service for the community.

Many people are currently unable to leave their homes due to the coronavirus outbreak, and some food banks – such as the Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank – have temporarily closed.

But last week Jacob’s Well delivered food to more than 200 people after getting referrals from schools, social services and local councils.

But managing director Lorraine Pottinger said there are many more people who need help.

‘When we closed due to coronavirus and took stock, we knew we still had to do something for the community,’ she said.

‘There was already so many people who needed support – now it has increased but I think it’s going to get worse before it starts to improve.

‘Jobs are at risk and we need to make sure we are there for them when it happens.’

At the moment, Jacob’s Well is unable to collect food from supermarkets.

Instead, the charity has become part of FairShare – a UK charity that redistributes food that would otherwise have gone to waste.

But Gosport residents have also been pitching in, keeping the great work of the charity going.

Lorraine said: ‘We’ve just got to do whatever we can to help out.

‘These are difficult times for everyone, but Gosport has shown its true colours and made me proud to call this town home.

‘I had one couple who bought five bags of shopping for us and that really touched me.

‘You want to give them an enormous hug, but all you can do is say thank you from a safe distance.’

FairShare mostly provides fresh food to charities, but this means there are other essentials that are running low.

Jacob’s Well is appealing for non-perishable goods such as tinned food and cereal, as well as toiletries.

Anyone who is able to help out can contact the charity by calling (023) 9258 3050.

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