THE Durham Foodbank is to open its first distribution points in Teesdale.

The move follows discussions between the Chester-le-Street based charity – part of the Trussell Trust – Barnard Castle Citizens Advice Bureau and the Reverend Jane Grieve, priest in charge at St Paul's, Evenwood.

Food parcels will be available in Cockfield and Evenwood within weeks according to Naomi Stevens, who is co-ordinating the project for Durham Foodbank.

Currently, residents running short of food must travel to West Auckland or Newton Aycliffe to pick up emergency supplies.

Ms Stevens said that in the 18 months since the Durham Foodbank was established more and more people across the county were finding themselves in need of help.

“When you get to the stage where you cannot afford food, you certainly won't have the money to travel by bus to Newton Aycliffe or West Auckland.

“Therefore, we are trying to get foodbanks into smaller places so the food is where people need it and they don't have to make a journey.”

Several Teesdale churches already act as collection points for food and operate a transport network to take donated goods to be made up into food parcels.

Rev Grieve said distribution points would be set up at Lipscomb Hall, in the centre of Cockfield, and the Cornerstone Christian Centre, in Evenwood.

She said both run cafes or coffee mornings and are well used, so there would be no sense of stigma attached to being seen going into the buildings.

“The Gaunless Valley villages, particularly Cockfield and Evenwood, have high levels of deprivation and some of our folk are very vulnerable to changes coming in, such as the so-called bedroom tax,” said Rev Grieve.

“There is the hope that alongside the distribution of food parcels comes a listening ear that can signpost people to where help is available.

“The idea is that people don't become dependent on food parcels – they are meant to be a short term provision to help people while they adjust to new circumstances.”

Durham Foodbank relies on donated, in-date non-perishable goods, such as tinned tomatoes, pasta, baked beans, rice pudding and cereals, which are then sorted into parcels.

Those in need of help are identified by carers, such as GPs, the Citizens Advice Bureau, social workers and health visitors.

They are issued with a voucher which is taken to a distribution point in return for a food parcel which will provide a balanced, nutritional diet for three days.