Volunteers who are running Dover’s foodbank had a special guest at their latest training at the weekend - Dover Mayor Cllr Ronnie Philpott.

As previously reported in the Mercury, the foodbank started operating in the town at the beginning of this month from two distribution poionts, The Beacon Church and Christian Centre in London Road and the Old Park Community Centre at Gordon Road, Whitfield.

Spokesman Noel Beamish, from Christians Together in Dover, said they had received support from across the entire community and they were grateful to everyone who had helped.

“Dover foodbank supplies emergency food to those who are in food crises in our area,” he said.

“A voucher provides three days of balanced meals for each person listed on the voucher and the number of vouchers is restricted to three per crisis.

“In order to get emergency food a voucher will need to be obtained first.

“We have started with five agencies which can issue foodbank vouchers and two distribution centres. We anticipate this expanding as the need, donations and volunteers grow.”

Vouchers can currently be obtained from Dover Gateway in Castle Street, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Sanctuary Supported Living - both based at Dover Gateway - the NHS Health Trainers at Dover Gateway and the Discovery Centre and Age UK at the Riverside Centre in Maison Dieu Gardens.

Those given a voucher must use it within three days. The agencies tell recipients when the distribution centres are open.

“Our website has our current stock totals and the items of food we are in most need of," said Mr Beamish. We look forward to working with the Dover Community to help those in food crisis.”

Visit www.dover.foodbank.org.uk

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.