Peter Dowd, Member of Parliament for Bootle visited St Leonard’s Foodbank on Friday 18th September to see the work they are doing and the support they are providing to the community.

Peter toured the foodbank and met volunteers involved in creating parcels for those who came into the centre, he also helped others to create the food parcels ahead of people arriving at the centre.

Peter Dowd MP said: “We live in one of the world’s wealthiest countries with a welfare state that is supposed to protect people from poverty. It is shameful that an increasing number of people are forced to use foodbanks. There is no excuse for this level of poverty, the Government should work constructively with agencies to reverse this crisis blighting local families.”

It was clear from my visit to St Leonard’s that the staff and volunteers are dedicated to making sure those facing hardship are given the support and advice they need, I’d just like to say thank you to them for what they do in challenging circumstances.”

Debbie Shelley, the manager at the centre said: “Our volunteers do an amazing job, keeping everything flowing. The people who come to us for help are in desperate situations, often struggling to feed themselves and their families, trying to pay the bills and still eat. They are relieved to find people willing to help and support them.”