A FOODBANK to help people and families in crisis opened in the centre of Billingham yesterday (Monday, March 25).

The Billingham Foodbank was opened by MP Alex Cunningham in West Precinct and will open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am until 2pm.

Those unable to feed themselves can use vouchers to collect dried food.

The vouchers are handed out by doctors and social workers to those in need, including people who have lost their job or benefits, are homeless or experiencing domestic violence.

Pastor Kevin Hornsby, who founded the foodbank with his wife, said: “The foodbank has been going for 11 months at New Life Church and in that time we’ve served about 750 people.

“With benefits changes, bedroom tax and the universal credit system coming in we’re expecting more people to need us.

“We moved down here because it’s much bigger and easier to find. We have a coffee shop where people can sit down, get a drink and talk to us about their problems, as well as getting food.”