A DESPERATE appeal for warehouse
space made by the Andover
Foodbank was answered by many
offers of support after it was published
in The Andover Advertiser
in October.
At the time the foodbank was very
grateful to Stannah for the donation
of warehouse space over the past 18
months, but needed to secure more
permanent space.
A number of good Samaritan local
companies responded to the front
page article featured in the paper
and offered help.
These including SSI Schaefer,
Twinings, Merityre and the Enham
Trust who offered to rent some of its
space to the foodbank.
Other offers came from
Mr Manbridge in Wallop and
Reverend Jill Bentall who suggested
space at St Michael and All Angels
Weyhill.
Foodbank manager Annie Mihill
said: “A final solution was reached
when the foodbank leased premises
on West Portway and took up a very
generous offer from Louise Turner,
general manager, Squarefoot selfstorage.
“The company have donated two
units free of charge for one year and
the foodbank are using these for
household and other items.
“Louise said that she wanted to
support the foodbank because it is so
important for Andover and by supporting
it you are not just helping
one charity but everyone in need in
the community.”
The move to the two new premises
was co-ordinated by Andrew
Shegog, vice-chairman, Andover
Foodbank and the work was completed
by soldiers from the 2nd battalion
Royal Welsh Regiment based
in Tidworth. The soldiers gave their
time and strength to transport
nearly 10 tons of food to the new
warehouse.
Mr Shegog said: “The move would
not have been possible without the
aid of the soldiers.”
The good news comes at a time
when demand has increased in
Andover.
Project co-ordinator Trevor
Sleath said: “Working across Test
Valley and north west Hampshire
for Christmas 2013 we saw a big
increase for our services giving out
179 family food boxes and 110 single
food boxes together with 181
Christmas family food bags and 107
Christmas single food bags.
“In December alone we fed 828
people up 50 per cent on 2012 and
over the 12 month period for 2013,
we fed 5,582 people including 1,794
children – up 29 per cent on 2012.”