A NEW foodbank was opened in Monmouth last Friday (7th March).

David Davies MP cut the ribbon of the Monmouth and District Foodbank at its distribution hub in Monmouth Baptist Church.

The Mayor of Monmouth, Jeana Hall, and Nick Ramsay AM also attended.

Representatives from the Trussell Trust, the Monmouth Rotary Club, Waitrose and Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) were also present, having given their support to the project.

The foodbank is partnered with the Trussell Trust which networks nearly 400 foodbanks. Monmouth and District Foodbank, in common with most others of its type, works to a voucher system.

Food recipients are referred with a voucher which they can receive from a number of professional distributors. They can then redeem the voucher at the foodbank and receive a parcel of food appropriate to their needs in order to help them through a crisis.

According to the Trussell Trust, the charity saw a big rise in people receiving emergency food from their foodbanks in 2012-13.

Donations of food can be deposited at various collection points including Bridges Community Centre, the Library and some churches in Monmouth.

Foodbank manager, Alan Cochran, said that it had been hard work going through the formalities of establishing the foodbank, but there had been overwhelming support from agencies, organisations and individuals.

Reverend Jonathan Greaves, of Monmouth Baptist Church, prayed that the foodbank would serve the needy in and around Monmouth in response to the command of Jesus Christ.

Speaking after the opening Nick Ramsay AM said: "I am very pleased the new foodbank has opened after a great deal of hard work by the many local volunteers involved in the project.

"I wish the project every success and hope that food donations will continue to flood in to support the scheme.

"Well done to everyone involved in setting up the foodbank."

The foodbank is open to the public on Fridays between 10am and 12pm.