Second Foodshare centre could be set up in Windsor

A second 'foodshare' distribution centre could soon be set up in Windsor to cope with the demand from families in need.

Reverend Matthew Scott is minister at Dedworth Green Baptist Church in Smiths Lane, which has served as the central point for Windsor Foodshare since last October.

He said: "We are hopeful that we will be able to open a second centre in the very near future."

Families in need have to be referred to Foodshare by social services and organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Family Friends charity and Radian Housing.

As many as 25 families a week receive food parcels in Windsor.

The Tesco store in Dedworth supports Foodshare - encouraging shoppers to put donations in a specially provided box.

Regular donations from individuals and churches also help keep Windsor Foodshare supplied. Mr Scott said: "We issue food vouchers for up to four weeks at a time and this can be enough to tide people over a crisis period. Then it is done on a case by case basis."

An average of five families a week initially began using the service last year but it had rocketed by fivefold within six months. The aim of Foodshare is to help any family where one or more member has to go without food for one day a week.

Falling incomes, rising prices and debt were blamed in a recent Government-commissioned report for many families' problems.

Mr Scott said: "It is shocking but it is not a surprise. This is one way of helping people back on their feet."

Non-perishable food items can be left at Dedworth Green Baptist Church on Sundays between 9.30am and noon.

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