BRIDGWATER Foodbank has seen a 30 per cent rise in demand compared to the previous year and expects this figure to rise when the government's furlough scheme comes to and end in November.

However, Bridgwater Foodbank manager Phil Jarman says thanks to the generosity of the general public and nearby supermarkets, the foodbank is currently in a good position heading into the winter.

It has been a tough few months for the Foodbank team, with drastic changes to day-to-day working, and many of the older volunteers advised not to help at the centre to be on the safe side.

Mr Jarman explained: "The start of lockdown was particularly difficult as demand surged by 60 per cent compared to the previous year - this was largely down to struggles with people's benefits coming through.

"As time has gone on, the demand has dropped and become more steady, but is still 30 per cent higher compared to this time in 2019.

"We are expecting that to increase when the furlough scheme comes to an end."

The day-to-day operation of the Foodbank has changed significantly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Where those receiving food parcels used to come into the Foodbank, they now pass their vouchers from the outside along a table to exchange for a parcel.

"One of the downsides of this is that interaction is more limited - before Covid-19 they would come in, have a cup of tea and a chat, and we could signpost them to organisations that might be able to offer them help, support or guidance," Mr Jarman said.

The Foodbank can also only have a limited number of staff and volunteers in at any one time in order to maintain social distancing, and sadly some of the older volunteers have been advised not to come in as a precaution.

But despite all of the changes, Mr Jarman said he was hugely grateful to the people of Bridgwater that the Foodbank had not been forgotten in these turbulent times.

"We have received so many fantastic donations; from members of the public, either with food, useful items or cash, and from some of the local supermarkets too," Mr Jarman said.

"During the first months of lockdown Morrisons were bringing us a shrink-wrapped pallet of food each week, while Tesco - as part of a partnership with British Gas - supplied us with donations from March to July, sometimes up to half a tonne of food.

"Luckily this means our stocks are currently in quite a strong position heading into the winter months.

"This is fortunate as we will understandably miss out on many of the church and school harvest collections which normally bolster our supplies."

Mr Jarman that the Foodbank was currently well stocked for baked beans and pasta, but said items such as small bags of sugar, tinned fruit and vegetables, and chocolate would be most welcome.

For more information about Bridgwater Foodbank, see bridgwater.foodbank.org.uk.