'Increased demand' forces launch of food bank

St Peter's rector the Reverend Robert Harris said a "hidden poverty" affected many in Jersey

A food bank has been set up to help deal with "continuing rising numbers" of people needing help.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul said people could register for the click-and-collect facility being set up at St Peter's Church during an event from 12:00 to 15:00 BST on Monday.

People who register to use the food bank can order items through an online service before collecting them every Friday between 12:00 and 13:00.

St Peter's rector, the Reverend Robert Harris, said the food bank would provide a vital service to the western side of Jersey, adding there had been a noticeable increase in the "number of requests for help and support".

"Whilst things look as if they're affluent on the surface, there is that hidden poverty where people may be struggling for all sorts of reasons - the cost of rent, someone may have lost their job," he said.

Collections will be available at St Peter's Church on Fridays

The charity said it helps more than 1,800 people in Jersey annually and described the facility in St Peter as an "initial step" to extending services on the island.

The society, which also operates a food bank and click-and-collect service from St Thomas' Church Hall every Wednesday and Saturday, said there had been "increased demand" for assistance since the Covid pandemic.

"This new service will provide a simple flexible way for those in need to access and order a selection of food, baby care items and hygiene products, thus extending its support to those in the western parishes of the Island," it added.