[N]orth Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has joined with Carlisle Foodbank and North Lakes Foodbank to provide a location for food to be donated to help families across Cumbria.
The Trust’s two hospitals, the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, are now food deposit locations for staff, patients and visitors to drop off food which can benefit people in their communities.
Foodbanks provide food and support to people experiencing emotional or financial crisis. People in need are given vouchers so they can collect three days’ supplies of food from the foodbanks.
The deposit bins are located at the front entrance to the Cumberland Infirmary and the old main entrance at the West Cumberland Hospital. They are not just for the staff but anyone who visits the hospitals.
Anna Stabler, deputy director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the Trust said: “Foodbanks help some of the most vulnerable members of society and our responsibility towards health doesn’t end when people leave the building.”
It’s fantastic we can offer people a convenient location to donate to the foodbanks. The Trust is always looking for ways to support our communities in Carlisle and Whitehaven and I’m sure all of our staff, and visitors, will give generously.”
Jessie Hendry Gooding, project manager at the North Lakes Foodbank, added: “The North Lakes Foodbank is delighted to have new donation points within the Trust. Now they have joined our network of donation points, this will enable people to donate and help us give three day emergency food parcels to 550 people every month.”