THERE is a new manager at Colchester’s Foodbank and she has big plans to make sure the charity reaches everyone who needs help.

Corinne Thompson took over the reins at the growing charity three months ago, and said she has been surprised by how many people need it.

Colchester Foodbank has experienced a huge hike in visitors.

In 2014/15 it fed 4,657 people, a 62 per cent increase on 2013/14.

Mrs Thompson said: “When I worked in Colchester it was a more affluent time.

“In the last 20 years I’ve seen a big change and a rise in deprivation. It is quite shocking.

“I’ve been surprised how much need there is in Colchester.

“Naively I thought that it was the inner cities that had the problem.”

Mrs Thompson is concerned they are still missing areas of the community.

She wants to set up distribution centres in different areas of the borough, so people do not have to travel all the way to their Moorside Business Park headquarters.

Food will still be donated, sorted and boxed at the headquarters but people will be able to pick them up and have access to the advice and guidance closer to home.

This summer she hopes to open one in West Mersea, and would like to have centres in Brightlingsea, Greenstead and Tiptree in the near future.

She said: “I think there are more people we need to reach.

“I think the sector we’re missing most is elderly people and people who are isolated such as young people living on their own.

“There are people who are unaware of us.”

The charity has about 100 volunteers on their books, including drivers, collectors and warehouse organisers.

She thinks the main reason people visit the foodbank is because of a change or delay in benefits and debt.

People have to be referred to the charity by a number of organisations including GPs, charities and social services, and can claim three boxes every six months.

Mrs Thompson said: “We have no idea what’s going to happen in the next four years. We have a new Government and there will be changes.

“There is no shortage of food and people wanting to support us.

Colchester is a strong community.

“In the three months I’ve been here there has been nothing but support.”

Mrs Thompson was born in Colchester, but moved around as her father was in the Army.

She returned to finish school and began a career in retail. She has worked with a lot of the big names including Marks and Spencer and Mothercare.

She moved to Witham and decided she wanted to move her career over to a not for profit organisation and has been working with organisations ever since.

Last year she was Witham’s mayor and is also chairman of the town’s Chamber of Commerce and Town Team.

When she manages to find any free time, Mrs Thompson is also a keen Morris dancer and has an allotment.

During her time as mayor she worked with the foodbank, which made her keen to take on the manager position.

She said: “If people haven’t got any money that food is a lifeline.

“They have got to the point there is nowhere for them to turn.

“It is a big step people coming here and to admit they haven’t got enough food to feed themselves and their family.”

What they need

THE Foodbank is very grateful for all the donations it receives, but at the moment is not looking for anymore pasta or cereal as it has a huge supply waiting to give out.

But there are some items it is really short of, and volunteers are appealing for donations long-life milk, long-life juice, coffee, sugar and jam.

To donate, look out for collection points at supermarkets, take the items to the foodbank at Moorside Business Park or visit colchester.foodbank.org. uk.