Norwich foodbank opens its doors to hungry
 By Keith Morris
Norwich Foodbank project will thrown open the doors of its two new centres in the city to feed an estimated 2000 people a year on October 1.
The Christian charity, which works to support local people who find themselves on the edge of disaster, will begin to distribute food from its two new Foodbank centres at the Norwich Christian Resource Centre on Redwell Street and the Mile Cross Methodist Church on Aylsham Road.
Project manager Grant Habershon, said: "People in Norwich are going hungry today. Norwich is the 62nd most deprived district in England and I would expect we would need to feed at least 2000 people each year when we are fully up and running.
"Many local people have no financial safety net and a sudden crisis, such as a benefit delay, bereavement, redundancy or illness, can leave them unable to feed themselves or their family. Such situations can quickly deteriorate, leading to relationship breakdown, house repossession or worse."
Food is donated by the people of Norwich and volunteers sort and pack the food into foodboxes which will last for three days. It partners with front-line care professionals, who identify people in crisis and give them a voucher which can be taken to one of the Foodbank centres where people receive a warm welcome, a hot drink and a foodbox.
People are also put people in touch with agencies who can help resolve the underlying causes of the crisis.
Rev Sharon Willimott, Methodist Minister for Norwich North West, said: “From tiny acorns mighty oaks do grow - Mile Cross Methodist Church and its sister churches in the North West of Norwich, welcomes the opportunity to be involved with the work of Norwich Foodbank. It draws Christians to work together to clearly show our common calling to be Jesus followers; loving, serving and caring for those in need. By their fruits you shall know them... Matthew 7:16.”
Norwich North MP, Chloe Smith, said: "I was interested to hear about this smart, compassionate initiative and I think it would be an easy concept for many people in Norwich to support. I look forward to working with the Norwich Foodbank to assist however I can as a local MP."
Grant said: "We have been overwhelmed by the number of front-line care professionals who have contacted us asking how they can obtain food vouchers and this has really demonstrated the need for this local charity. Also the support and encouragement we have received from many local churches has been tremendous and we are expecting a good amount of food from harvest collections.
"However it is very important that we obtain a steady flow of food coming into the Foodbank throughout the year. Therefore we ask all people, who can afford to, to regularly give food to the project. Get your local churches, schools and organisations involved in food collections. We will also look to work with local businesses and supermarkets and Asda on Drayton Road in Norwich has already agreed to support a collection.
Grant Habershon and Rev Sharon Willimott at the new Mile Cross Foodbank centre. | 
