Food bank organiser ‘almost in tears’ as supermarket places restrictions on orders

A councillor who started a food bank in her village said she was “almost driven to tears” after a supermarket retailer restricted its order to just eight jars of pasta sauce.

Conwy county councillor Penny Andow, who represents Pandy ward in Llanfairfechan, said she couldn’t believe the delivery after banking on food for those in need in her constituency.

However the community rallied round and 30 families did eventually get the supplies they needed – but she’s now calling on all supermarkets to lift restrictions on deliveries to food banks and care homes.

She said: “People have lost jobs, been furloughed, are going bankrupt and then you have the working poor.

“When we received that delivery of eight jars of pasta sauce I felt gutted. We almost broke down in tears as it was absolutely devastating.

“Why hasn’t the government said food banks and care homes are exempted from restrictions on buying food? The supermarket knew we were a food bank.

“It’s always the vulnerable in society that get knocked back.”

She said another delivery of 216 items prior to that was also restricted to just 50.

Cllr Andow set up the mercy mission to feed people who are struggling at St Mary’s and Christ Church in

Llanfairfechan two-and-a-half years ago, along with Jo Pugh.

It came after a local family were unable to get supplies from nearby Penmanemawr’s food bank because its constitution restricted it to helping local families.

She said the doors of their food bank are open to everyone, not just those referred by statutory services.

In March the food bank and its 26 volunteers won a £2,500 award from Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones for its work in the community.

That money kept the operation going but she says the Covid-19 pandemic has hit people in the village hard.

On Wednesday night 30 families received essential food parcels but Cllr Andow said some still feel ashamed about using the service.

She said: “People will ask if there’s any food for their pet, which we do keep, then when they get into conversation you realise they need food too.”

Cllr Andow, who is also a Llanfairfechan town councillor, said the food bank has been helped by the local Co-op and Morrison’s in Bangor to fill the void – plus people have stopped her on the street to hand in generous cash donations.

She added: “I have had hundreds of pounds given to me in the last few weeks. One woman stopped me recently and gave me £100 to buy food to feed those in need.

“Luckily we have a fantastic community and fantastic volunteers and believe me, people are very thankful.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter