A FOODBANK which has seen ‘shocking’ malnutrition in children has raised concerns that youngsters will ‘go hungry’ this summer without their free school meals.

The charity in Whalley Banks, Blackburn, has only been open eight months ago, but has already fed 2,735 people, 967 of which are children.

Now the Lancashire Telegraph is launching a campaign calling on people to donate both food and money to the charity to ensure the borough’s most deprived children don’t go hungry.

Ros Duerden, Project Manager, of the Foodbank said: “I’ve worked with children for 20 years and never have I seen children as in need as the ones that come here.

“We have seen children come with classic malnourishment. Children with deadened eyes, sallow skin and pot bellies who just look awful.

“We can’t do referrals though. All we can do is feed them and encourage them to get help elsewhere. It’s heartwrenching.”

The Foodbank has asked schools to identify the children they believe are most at risk of going without over the six week holidays because they won’t get their free schools meals.

But as it is run by volunteers and relies purely on food donations from the public, Mrs Duerden said the Foodbank does not have the resources to feed everyone who is entitled to free school meals.

Some schools in Blackburn with Darwen have over 62 per cent of students enjoying a free hot meal every day.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: “The figures show that there is a real need for this kind of help.

“That became clear when I talked to people there who were facing a sudden crisis. I am therefore very happy to back this campaign.”

Former Blackburn with Darwen Council leader and former chair of the Lancashire Police Authority Malcolm Doherty, said: “I wholeheartedly support the Lancashire Telegraph’s campaign “I am a volunteer at the Foodbank and it is going to be very, very difficult over the summer.

“We think there will be a lot of children who are in that situation and we are going to need a fair bit of help.”

And Coun Mohammed Khan, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I am 100 per cent behind this campaign.

“If we work together, it should make a difference.

“During the month of Ramadan, which starts later this month, I think people will donate more food as it is all about giving.”

The concerns come following the news that THOMAS Drop-In Centre in St Anne’s House in Blackburn announced it was feeding an average of 50 people a day.

Father Jim McCartney said: “We have seen an increase in people accessing the drop-in centre and many people are struggling to survive.

“We’ve also seen people who wouldn’t have previously been classed as disadvantaged but have found themselves at a disadvantage due to changes in welfare and job cuts.”

“It’s only going to get worse if nothing changes.”

Mrs Duerden said: “A lot of parents have had their hours reduced, or lost their jobs. We see a lot of families who were used to two incomes but now are living on a single persons budget or benefits and can’t keep up with the mortgage they were encouraged to buy a few years ago.”

Mrs Duerden said that the Foodbank had spoken with teachers who had fed children out of their own pocket. “They would just go hungry otherwise,” she said.

Kim Burton, family support worker at Griffin Park Primary School and St Aidan’s CofE Primary School, both in Blackburn, said there was a number of ‘troubled families’ within the borough who would need extra support throughout the summer.

She said: “When schools are closed, the meals are not there any longer. They are gone for almost seven weeks, so it is vital the vouchers for the Food Bank are available.”

Blackburn Foodbank is calling for more volunteers and donations to help them deal with the volume of visitors they expect over summer.

Mrs Duerden said: “If we weren’t here. Well, I dread to think.”

How you can help

SCHOOLS, churches, businesses and individuals can donate non-perishable, in-date food to the foodbank.

Items suggested for donation include milk, fruit juice, pasta sauces, cereals, rice, pasta, tinned fruit, biscuits, sugar, soup and tinned meat and fish.

Sometimes, the Food Bank holds ‘Supermarket Collections’, this is when volunteers give shoppers a ‘foodbank shopping list’ and ask them to buy one item on the list to donate.

One of the official donation drop-off points is the main reception at the Lancashire Telegraph offices, in High Street, Blackburn.

Next Friday and Saturday, Food Bank volunteers will be collecting at Tesco stores in Blackburn and Great Harwood.

Donations of non-perishable food can also be taken to the food bank in Brunswick Street, Blackburn on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 11am and 2pm.

Anyone who would like to help can contact 01254 672756.