Goods collected from the public, local supermarkets and shops are redistributed under a voucher system and will provide enough food for a whole family for a week says GMB

GMB members have joined forces with their employer Robert McBride, provider of personal care products, to make donations of toiletries, food and cash to a local food bank in Batley.  It’s hoped the donations will go some way towards ensuring that those in most need in the area will not go without this Christmas. 

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Batley Food Bank can take items of non-perishable food or toiletries to the food bank (visit www.batleyfoodbank.org.uk for further details) or to one of the GMB offices across the region (visit www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk to find your nearest office).

Darran Travis, GMB Regional organiser, said: "It is great that the company has made this donation after discussions with our shop steward Vince Piper.

Batley Food Bank offers a life-line to families in crisis.  Since opening its doors in 2013 it has fed in excess of 2 thousands families across the area.  Goods and food collected from the public, local supermarkets and shops are redistributed under a voucher system and will provide enough food for a whole family for a week.   The food bank is made up of community volunteers from all walks of life coming together simply because they could see people suffering and unable to feed themselves or their children."

Desiree Risebury, GMB senior organiser, said "Although it is unthinkable that such organisations should be necessary in 2015, the reality is they are here and very much needed by many within our communities.  It humbles me that so many members of the community are keen to assist and donate when they themselves are living on the bread line, with many on zero hour contracts and the minimum wage."