A NORTH Yorkshire food bank which offers emergency help to people in immediate financial crisis is opening its annual meeting to encourage new volunteers to come forward.

Hambleton Foodshare was set up in 2014 by a group of volunteers after growing concern over lack of provision to help people with immediate problems getting food for themselves and their families.

The community-led partnership operates from the Zion United Reformed Church in Northallerton High Street.

A satellite scheme has also been set up in Bedale after concern that there were similar problems.

They provide a three day food parcel to people in immediate financial crisis through unemployment, incapacity or a delay in benefit payment. It is open every Monday between 4pm and 6pm at the Zion Church.

To receive emergency food help customers must be able to demonstrate their need mostly by being referred through an agency or by self-referral.

Michael Webster, Chair of the Foodshare, said: “Although we live in an affluent part of the country there are both individuals and families who at no fault of their own find themselves when they least expect it with no money left to buy basic food.

“Hambleton FoodShare fills that gap and continues through the huge efforts of its volunteer network to provide a much sought after service.”

The group is calling on potential volunteers and people interested in their work to go to their AGM. It is being held in Northallerton Methodist Church in the High Street on Thursday September 12 at noon.

Over the past five years the work of the scheme has increased dramatically, during Christmas last year they handed out a record 200 food hampers and 36 special parcels to people who would otherwise have struggled to put food on the table over the festive period.

For information and how to get into contact with the group, call 07514244158 or email info@hambletonfoodshare.org.uk