Coventry Food Bank to open two more distribution points

Two more food bank distribution points are to be opened to help people struggling to feed their families.

The Coventry bank will open new points in Willenhall and near Stoke Aldermoor to deal with the high demand from people referred to it by care workers.

Bank operators say they have fed 4,153 people since it was launched in Hillfields, in January.

It currently operates from eight locations across the city, with the new points opening in the new year.

Gavin Kibble, project manager for the organisation which is part of a national network, says he is not surprised by the rise in demand which has seen 1,860 children in the city fed in less than 11 months.

'Questionable claims'

"I'm disappointed we find ourselves in the situation where the welfare state does not provide enough for people to get through short-term crises.

"There are real life tragic stories from people who are walking from Willenhall to Mosaic Church in Hillfields simply because they don't have enough food to get them through the weekend."

The Willenhall distribution point will open on 11 January with the one near Stoke Aldermoor following in early 2012.

Mr Kibble accepted that there was a "small percentage using food banks where the circumstances to them taking a food parcel are questionable".

Coventry Food Bank relies on donations of non-perishable and long-dated food items, as well as the services of more than 100 volunteers.