Potters Bar Foodbank is now providing a delivery service for people unable to travel to the centre.

Hertsmere Borough Council contributed £15,000 towards the new van, with a further donation made by a local company in Potters Bar.

The new delivery support will ensure foodbank services are more accessible to people with mobility, healthcare, or other logistical issues to get the help they need.

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As the cost-of-living crisis continues foodbanks across the country have seen an increase in need for their services.

Potters Bar Foodbank said it has seen a 60% rise in the number of people needing help since January 2022.

Councillor Meenal Sachdev, portfolio holder for community, leisure, health and wellbeing, backed the new service but added he wanted to find ways to end food poverty.

He said: “We have seen a rise in food poverty, with foodbanks across the borough reporting an unprecedented demand.

“Having a delivery service will be pivotal in ensuring everyone has access to the support they need.

"We’re committed to working with other organisations to tackle the root causes of food poverty and to help support partners to enhance services for those in our communities struggling to get food on the table.”

The Potters Bar Foodbank was opened in 2003 and is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.

Last year the centre gave 169 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis.  

The foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network which supports more than 1,200 foodbank centres across the UK.

In 2021/22, The Trussell Trust’s Foodbank Network provided 2,173,158 three-day emergency food supplies and support to people in crisis across the UK.

Of these, 832,109 went to children.

Hertsmere Borough Council has designed and delivered a Worrying About Money leaflet to help all households across the borough.

The leaflet will help people identify local advice providers. It also includes explanations as to what people may already be entitled to.  

Additionally, residents can get further information about financial support on the council’s new webpage www.hertsmere.gov.uk/financialsupport.