Food bank moves out of 'tiny' cupboard as demand up

Councillors and staff from Durham County Council and the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership at the new food bank space

Food bank volunteers hope a new bigger space will help them meet growing demand.

The team at Bishop Auckland's Woodhouse Close Community Centre has been handing out hundreds of food parcels a month from a "tiny, tiny cupboard" since 2017.

After years of raising funds, the operation has finally moved into a dedicated space.

Manager Anne Ramshaw said: "I walked in and wanted to cry, we finally have a safe and spacious place and our volunteers are so happy."

Growing demand

The food bank is one of several community support projects at the centre.

It began six years ago with staff "dashing to the shop" for food for one client in crisis.

In January, volunteers helped to feed 309 people.

Ms Ramshaw said need is growing significantly as Bishop Auckland's community struggles to cope with a cost of living crisis.

Staff and volunteers will no longer have to squeeze into a cupboard to pack bags

The extension, partly funded by Durham County Council, means the team will no longer have to line the centre's corridors with shopping bags and climb ladders to get to tiny storage spaces.

It has been named the David Fleming Room in honour of the late Bishop Auckland mayor, who was an avid supporter of the centre.

Ms Ramshaw said: "He would be so proud of what we've achieved."