VILLAGERS are being invited to donate everyday food items for a food bank set up in Mobberley in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The food bank has been set up to help people who are isolating and self-isolating, as well as NHS staff and other key workers who may find it difficult to obtain essential food items.

The initiative has brought together St Wilfrid’s Church and Mobberley Methodist Church, Mobberley Neighbourhood Watch and Mobberley Parish Council, and food items can be dropped off at the Rajar Building in Town Lane between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday.

The building is open to avoid the need for the public to open it for hygiene reasons, and there is a table in the foyer where villagers can leave their donations.

Donations are requested of cereal, soup, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, tinned tomatoes, lentils, beans and pulses, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tea/coffee, tinned fruit, biscuits, UHT milk and fruit juice.

Please do not donate perishables, including fresh fruit and vegetables.

To access help from the food bank please call 01625 462344.

Community groups and the churches have also joined forces to provide support and advice during the coronavirus pandemic, including the latest government advice and a directory of local suppliers of good and services.

Information is available by calling 01625 462344.

Reverend Canon Ian Blay from St Wilfrid’s Church said the food bank would operate for as long as it was needed, and he hoped it would fulfil ‘a genuine need’ in a time of crisis.

“It is a stop-gap measure to provide people with two or three days’ worth of food,” he said.

“It was set up on Monday, and the initial aim was to help those who are isolated or are self-isolating.

“However that has now been extended to NHS staff and other key workers who may find it difficult to obtain essential food items.”

Rev Blay is working on developing an online presence for St Wilfrid’s Church, and has put daily prayer resources and videod services in the Daily Worship page of the church’s website.