THE demand from vulnerable people for aid through the King’s Foodbank in Darlington is always high.

It was, therefore, with surprise and delight that manager Caroline Todd watched an articulated lorry pull up in the carpark laden with food and toiletries.

Darlington Bondgate Round Table spent £1,500 at Aldi supermarket to deliver vital items to help disadvantaged family in the town.

Chairman, Mark Anderson said: “Every year, Darlington Bondgate Round Table volunteers collect around £8,000 from the local community by taking the Santa sleigh around Darlington in the run-up to Christmas. The money raised is distributed throughout the year to the local community, charities and good causes.

“Without the kind generosity of the people of Darlington and surrounding area, it would not be possible to help in the way that we do. We would like to thank everybody for giving so generously, and we’re very pleased to be able to help the foodbank.”

King’s Foodbank distributes 500 individual boxes a month, and every box contains seven meals, among a selection of toiletries and other necessities. Between January and September this year, they donated 44,000 individual meals to families in need.

“We like to know that we’re helping people in food poverty, but we also want to help them to move forward. We try find out why they have got into a situation where they need to visit the foodbank. Sometimes, if they’re in debt, they don’t know where to turn. They can also come here to speak to someone from Darlington Credit Union, or Citizens Advice.”

Caroline has been with the foodbank since it opened in 2012, and she’s seen a steady increase in the numbers of individuals and families using the facility.

“No-one is judged when they come to us,” she says. “Anyone can find themselves in food poverty. Sometimes it’s a choice between eating and heating, so at least we can help with that.

“The donation from Bondgate Round Table came just at the right time. We had started to run low on a lot of items when I got a phonecall asking what we needed because they wanted to help us.”

It’s not just food that King’s needs. Caroline turns nothing away. Curtains, baby clothes, footwear, furniture – they can find a home for everything.

To find out more about what Darlington Bondgate Rotary does, find them on Facebook. And like the page to be kept informed of what we they throughout the year at www.facebook.com/darloroundtable/

For more information about King’s Foodbank, phone 01325 469884, or email foodbank@kingschurchdarlington