A Southport Church open to help those in need of food

Shoreline Church on Mornington Road in Southport may have closed its doors on Sundays for worshippers, but the doors are wider open than ever on weekdays to keep the food bank running for the poorest across our community.

Since 23 March when the lockdown started Shoreline food bank has seen a 50% increase in clients calling on them for food as their money has run out due to losing their jobs in coronavirus crisis. At the same time, the amount of food available has dropped because bakeries who used to donate unsold bread pies & cakes have had to sadly close their doors.

Many existing clients, and those who previously did not ask the food bank for help, have found themselves stuck at home in isolation and quarantine, and the Shoreline food bank has not let them down. From a standing start they have launched a home delivery service which is delivering once a week to almost 40 households.

The wonderful people of Southport have come forward to volunteer to help this effort succeed, as many of the food bank’s volunteers, including the food bank manager, have had to isolate themselves due to age or infirmity. Emergency funding has been provided by the Community Foundation for Merseyside and the Steve Morgan Foundation and this has enabled food to be purchased to cope with the demand.

There is still more that local people can do to help. Donations of food may be made at drop off points in Sainsburys, Lord Street, Birkdale and Bispham Road. Money can be donated on the church’s website https://www.shorelinechurch.org.uk/donate/ or food can be bought online for Shoreline at https://www.bankuet.co.uk/shoreline