High demand for emergency food is behind the expansion of a network of church-run foodbanks to north Wales.
The Flintshire foodbank is the sixteenth to be developed in Wales, bringing the total across the UK to 134.
The foodbanks are operated by Trussell Trust and provide emergency food to people in crisis. Recipients tend to be from low-income families but they also include those hit by a sudden and unexpected change in circumstances, such as bereavement, illness or job loss.
Such is the demand that a new foodbank has opened in the UK every week this year.
Wales regional development manager for Trussell Trust, Adrian Curtis said: “Since Wales’ first foodbank opened in 2008, we’ve seen foodbanks rapidly open throughout the nation.”
Mr Curtis said there had been a huge rise in the number of people needing support in south Wales, with Cardiff serving double the volume of clients this year and Valleys communities like unemployment-hit Blaenau Gwent seeing a 50% increase in demand.
“Whilst we are delighted to open our first project in north Wales, it’s always sad that there is such a need in 21st century Wales,” said Mr Curtis.
All Trussell Trust foodbanks are run by local churches and rely on food donated by members of the public.
Recipients are referred to the foodbanks by frontline care professionals such as doctors or social workers.
Flintshire foodbank is expecting to feed at least 1,000 people in its first year.
King’s Christian Centre, in Mold, has offered its help in the running of the new foodbank.
The church’s senior leader, Andrew Leake said: “King’s Christian Centre is very excited about the foodbank project. Our passion is to help those in crisis and the foodbank will deliver credible benefits to those in need throughout Flintshire and the surrounding area.”