Priti visits the Colchester Foodbank

Priti Patel MP has visited the Colchester Foodbank at Tollgate Retail Park in Stanway, following an invitation from Colchester’s Chief Foodbank Officer, Michael Beckett.

Priti met Michael and his team when she visited them on Friday 9th June 2023 and was given a tour of the premises and a full briefing on the scope of the Foodbank’s work. Opened in 2008, the Foodbank is part of a network of foodbanks supported by the Trussell Trust and has supported over 13,000 people with food supplies.

Working with partners across the voluntary and community sector in North-East Essex, Priti heard how the Foodbank supports those facing difficulties and crisis to signpost them to other statutory and voluntary services. She also discussed the complex needs that some Foodbank users have, as well as the current inflationary pressures while meeting with local volunteers at the Foodbank.

Speaking after her visit, Priti said:  “I pay tribute to Michael, his team at the Foodbank and the network of volunteers who support them and those who donate. They are doing vital work helping some of the most vulnerable in times of hardship and crisis.

“We are facing difficult times with high levels of inflation affecting household budgets and the Foodbank is part of a network of help and support available. I welcome the work the Foodbank does with others to provide advice and assistance to those in need of help. The Foodbank covers a vast part of Colchester and North Essex assisting many residents with access to financial advice, health services and employment and training opportunities, thanks to the wider work provided by the Foodbank and their local community partners.”

Michael Beckett, Colchester’s Chief Foodbank Officer, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Priti, give her a tour of the Foodbank and to talk her through what we do here.  We take great pride in providing help to those most in need.”

For further information about the Colchester Foodbank go to: www.colchester.foodbank.org.uk

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