Struggling families are thrown a lifeline

A third Ringwood Foodbank Centre has opened at the United Reform Church in Salisbury Street, with support from the Trussell Trust, as the rising tide of food poverty shows no signs of slowing down.

Hundreds of children in the New Forest are still living on the breadline despite claims that the dividends of the economic recovery are reaching all members of society.

People who are desperately trying to make ends meet will be given a voucher from the CAB, the GGP, schools and churches to use in exchange for a food parcel from the bank, which will open three days a week.

Lyndsey Whitehead will be managing the centre, which she said was vital for many people in Fordingbridge.

"Food poverty is still a problem in this area," she said.

"This area has needed more support and we felt there was a growing need for a foodbank. This area is seen as affluent and much of the poverty here remains hidden."

Scores of foodbank supporters turned out in force to watch the Mayor of Fordingbridge Malcolm Connolly cut the ribbon to officially open the vital facility.

In a speech he gave to the crowd, he said: "While I have no political axe to grind I do think that successive governments have created a situation whereby ordinary people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. Our much lauded and envied welfare system no longer holds the safety net that I believe it should do.

"While many of us are usually too proud to accept assistance, please, if you could do with a little help to see you through, take it. Get yourself back up and running and then maybe you can repay by donating yourself.

"The residents of Fordingbridge and the surrounding areas have always been good contributors and give all sorts of assistance to others, so please, continue to sponsor this new amenity."

The third Fordingbridge facility will join two already operating in Ringwood and Verwood. To date more than 1,000 have been helped.