Anglesey Food Bank and Anglesey County Council have expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who has kindly provided support during the lockdown period.

Over recent months, the support from various businesses including supermarkets, communities and personal donors has been overwhelming. Their generosity has ensured that the food banks had sufficient stock and supply for the unprecedented demand on their services.

Between March and June 2020, the food banks saw a significant increase in demand as many households experienced a loss of income because of lockdown restrictions. Two pop-up food banks were quickly established in Llangefni and Menai Bridge, to help food banks already based in Holyhead and Amlwch.

Anglesey County Council has widely supported the food banks on the Island through providing delivery drivers, assisting in the creation of the pop-up food banks, and holding weekly conference calls between all food banks to monitor stock levels, share ideas and troubleshoot any issues or concerns.

The Council has also provided fridges and freezers to store food items, and installed a sink at Holyhead Food Bank to ensure volunteers and staff were able to wash their hands.

Supermarkets across the Island have also been tremendously supportive, providing food donations and allowing the food banks to buy as many items as they required.

Anglesey Council Officers and Food Bank volunteers were able to discuss food supply concerns with supermarket managers. As a result, many supermarkets arranged that Anglesey Food Bank could access an increased amount of goods in order to meet the increased demand.

Council Leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, said, “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the food banks during this challenging time. The kind donations and pledges of support have been overwhelming, and have made a real difference to many families who have struggled during the pandemic”.

Roy Fyles, Anglesey Food Bank Co-ordinator added, “Without this support the food supply for vulnerable households on the Island would have looked bleak. However, between the funding from donors, organisations providing grants, and local communities creating their own local drop-off points, we have been able to make sure that food supplies were as high as possible throughout the pandemic.”

The food banks have seen demand for food parcels go up by 400% in comparison to this time last year. Existing and new volunteers have come forward to ensure food parcels reached households as soon as possible. Food banks have also been providing parcels to some households that are shielding and unable to leave their homes due to the increased risk based on their existing and underlying health conditions.

Mark Salisbury, Trustee for CAB Ynys Môn, spent time working with a CAB team, liaising with grant funding bodies and businesses in order to seek financial support to sustain the food banks. This has been very effective, and has gained around £100,000 of funds for Anglesey Food Banks which can supply up to 50 tonnes of emergency supplies.

Mark explained, “Through various grant funding and local business donations we were able to meet demand throughout the pandemic by purchasing stock in bulk. This complimented the kind donations from supermarkets and individuals, which meant that we were never low on stock. It’s been a very heart-warming experience witnessing the island’s community pull together in this way”.

Ends 25.08.2020