FOODBANK staff have thanked the Colchester Scouts for their support in raising awareness.

Colchester Foodbank, in Moorside Business Park, welcomed the 17th Sea Scouts as well as the Copford and Marks Tey cubs.

The groups carried out a role play activity and discussed the nutritionally balanced contents of the food parcels and what meals could be made out of them.

Michael Beckett, manager at Colchester Foodbank, said: "It is important to explain how foodbanks operate and working with the Scouts is a great way to do this.

"Foodbanks are reliant on generous gifts from the public of time, money, food and toiletries for us to work.

"Our volunteers collect food, sort it and store it and prepare it as parcels.

"Professionals like social workers, GPs and Citizens Advice advisors meet with people regularly who are going through a crisis. To help them, they issue a food voucher, which they can come to the Foodbank with and exchange it with an emergency food parcel.

"We give all our visitors a warm welcome, a smile with an offer of a brew and a listening ear, we take time to signpost people on to get extra help as required and make sure they have the opportunity to eat something there and then."

When the Scouts visit they bring food donations with them, they then weigh them in and sort them.

They then make up an emergency food parcel which can be given to people in crisis the following day.

The Foodbank also wanted to thank the cubs for their £398 donation from a Christmas carol service, and the scouts who raised £235 at a St Georges Day parade.

Sir Bob Russell, president of Colchester Scouts and joint patron of Colchester Foodbank, said he was delighted scouts were supporting the cause.

He said: “Scouting has a proud reputation over the years of helping the wider community, and this is just the latest uplifting example of how young people wish to assist those in need.

"I congratulate their leaders for this initiative, and the youngsters for rallying round so splendidly.”

The foodbank is looking to raise £200,000 for a new permanent base close to their current home.

They have already raised more than £20,000. Half of this was given by the trustees, another £5,000 has already been donated anonymously and a further £5,000 has been pledged.

A total of £119 has also been raised through Facebook.

To help generate funding, a Premises Fund has been set up with the Co-operative Bank.

Donations can be made to: Account name: Colchester Foodbank

Account number: 65361687 Sort Code: 08/92/99