At a recent Glossopdale Foodbank trustees meeting, expressions of sympathy were voiced for those suffering in war-torn Ukraine.

But then attention was turned to the approaching difficulties people will face here in Glossopdale in their own homes when price increases will really start to bite in April.

Trustees discussed a recent report by Ofgem - the government body that regulates the energy companies - which showed the high level of disconnections taking place; that is homes having their energy supplies cut off because families have been unable to pay their energy bills.

In particular, self-disconnections are rising. Families who cannot afford fuel even before the new price increases bite are having to resort to drastic and dangerous forms of action. One trustee commented that it gave 'heat or eat' a whole new meaning.

"We are always uplifted by people’s generosity and by their desire to help both to people in far distant countries and to people who live nearby,” Foodbank coordinator Charlotte Mendes-Kelly said. "But our concern here today is that many local families and households who are not already feeling the pressure from rising prices will soon begin to feel real hardship and pressure when the new gas, electricity, fuel and food prices take effect."

Charlotte added: "The number of people needing the Foodbank has already begun to rise, with many more expected in the coming months; more awareness of how we can help is needed.

"So, to this end, we will be redistributing information posters in the local area and have taken a stall on Glossop High Street during the Victorian Weekend and one on the Christmas Market in Old Glossop.”

The collection places people can collect food parcels from are:

• Glossop Children's Centre, off Victoria Street in Glossop, SK13 8HZ. Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm (closed weekends and bank holidays).
• Hadfield Children's Centre, off Queen’s Street, Hadfield, SK13 2DW. Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 11am. 
• The Community Pantry, Winster Mews, Gamesley, SK13 OLU. Mondays to Fridays 10am to 3pm (closed weekends and bank holidays).

For anyone housebound, in financial hardship and in need of a food parcel delivered, email delivery.glossopdalefoodbank@gmail.com or call/text 07789 191560. 

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