A FOODBANK to serve Rishton, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham will launch next week and – unlike other food banks – residents can call directly and request food.

For months, volunteers have been meeting to organise the launch of Our Food Bank and the first packages were delivered at the end of last month.

Serving north Hyndburn, it will be officially launched next Friday, with MP Graham Jones invited to attend.

Originally an initiative started by Great Harwood methodist minister Rev Pat Brown, the group was formed with the help of local charity Community Solutions.

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Janet Hart said: “Due to the number of people wanting to get involved, it was decided a steering group would be formed, and these people would be the voice of the large volunteer group, and would work closely with Community Solutions to take this project forward.

“Unlike other local food banks, it was decided early on in our meetings that we wanted our food bank available to anyone who needed it, not just those who would be referred through the usually referral systems, such as doctors, schools, and social services.”

Dan Theobald, deputy head teacher at St James’ Primary School in Lower Darwen, is a member of the group.

He said there were worries direct referrals could lead to people abusing the system.

He said: “The danger is people will take us for a ride.

“Our view point is we will soon find out because we deliver to the door.

“We are a little bit open to abuse, but if we manage to help a handful of people in genuine need, it will be worth it to us.

“But it might be this system won’t work and we have to change the model we are using.

“So far, it has been all right.”

He continued: “We put our number out there so people can call.

“There tends to be a stigma attached to asking for food, so they can just come to us.”

Volunteers will be working from the Elysium Centre, in Barn Meadow Lane, Great Harwood, before sending food to Community Solutions to be packaged.

The packages will then be delivered to homes across the three towns.

If you are in need of food, call the food bank on 07594 478 093.