THE RAFT Foundation foodbank had to suspend referrals for two weeks because there were not enough volunteers to keep it running all summer.

Between planned trips away and the increased demand for childcare during the six week holidays, foodbanks are becoming desperate for more volutenteers to help them cope when demand is at it’s highest.

Kate Crane, founder of The RAFT Foundation in Rossendale, said: “We decided the only thing we could do was to stop referrals for the time being, which was a really difficult choice to make.”

The Lancashire Telegraph is highlighting the work of foodbanks in the area as part of our Back our Foodbanks campaign after it was revealed some youngsters in East Lancashire were malnourished.

The foundation has made up emergency parcels and left them with their key referral agencies so that there still provisions available for anyone in dire need and are looking at creative ways of recruiting more volunteers.

The charity was set up in May 2012 after Kate experienced a benefit sanction - one of the main reasons people are referred to a foodbank.

“I’d been unemployed for about five months.

“I missed a job centre appointment because I’d been at a job interview and as a result my benefits were sanctioned for two weeks.

“I was lucky enough to have a family that supported me but I realised that not everyone would be that fortunate.”

Kate is now back in a full time work and the RAFT foundation is busier than ever and eager to hear from volunteers.

The charity are also eager to hear from local grocers to pilot a scheme similar to the ‘suspended coffee’ initiative, which sees coffee drinkers buy an extra beverage to be given out to anyone without enough money to buy their own hot drink.

“We top up all of our food parcels with fresh fruit and vegetables and think suspended groceries would be a really easy way for people to donate fresh food to the foodbank while also supporting our important local businesses.”

The foundation, which will take referrals again from August 1, is also hoping to appoint a member to their board of trustees to help co-ordinate fundrasing events.

“We hope that local people will continue to support us and we would love to hear from anyone who can volunteer in any way, big or small.

“Food poverty is a big issue that can happen to anyone and unfortunately, it isn’t going to go away on it’s own.”