CREDITON Foodbank has received a donation of £117 from Crediton Running Network.

Nancy Dowling, chair, CRN, went along to the Foodbank, which operates from the Manse adjoining Crediton Congregational Church, to find out all about it from Sue Goode, the Foodbank Co-Ordinator, before handing over the donation.

Crediton Food Bank is a "Christians together in Crediton" initiative, providing emergency food for local people in a crisis situation.

Today, in Crediton and its outlying villages, there are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis – redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill, can mean going hungry. Every day, parents are skipping meals to feed their children and people are forced to choose between paying the rent or eating.

The food bank is run entirely on a voluntary basis and staff are caring and non-judgemental. Also, they treat a person's needs in the strictest of confidence.

Those who wish to use the services of the food banks, or perhaps know of someone else who may, will first need to seek a referral from one of a number of care professionals listed, such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB), health visitors, school nurses, Farm Community Network, Churches Housing Action Team, Community Mental Health Team (Hillbank) or the Workclub for the unemployed at Crediton Library.

These organisations and people hold vouchers which, having been issued, can be redeemed at the food bank for approximately three days' food.

Like all banks, to keep it going it needs to be topped up.

Local churches, shops and supermarkets, as well as individuals and some groups, have donated food of late and collection boxes for food are available at Stevie B's, the Yellow Bookshop and the offices of the "Crediton Courier". There is also a collection box, clearly labelled, toward the front of the Congregational Church near the Coffee Bar.

Nancy heard that some items, the most sought after and named "Flavours of the month" are listed regularly and currently include jam/marmalade, biscuits, cereals, tins of fruit, cartons of fruit juice and small size jars of coffee. No pasta or beans is currently required.

Sue explained that volunteer helpers are always welcomed to help and cash donations are also welcomed alongside food.

Nancy explained that the money she was presenting was raised after members of CRN held a social run during the Crediton Festival.

She explained that the run began at the council offices in Market Street, Crediton and upon return, everyone enjoyed coffee and cake and donations were accepted for the charity.

She added that the club, which started in June 2011, now had more than 100 members and different social and more serious runs are held on different evenings and over different routes.

"It is a very inclusive club from members who just want to go for a jog to those who are more serious runners," she said.

She explained that runs start at various locations, most recently including The Beer Engine at Newton St Cyres, Kennerleigh, the Quay in Exeter, Thorne's Farm Shop near Cheriton Fitzpaine and in Crediton.

Sue extended her thanks to CRN and to the members who donated to the charity, as well as to the Crediton Festival 2013, which had selected it as its chosen charity, helping to raise more than £800.

Alan Quick