BLACKBURN’S foodbank bosses are looking for a new home so they can offer more help to more people.

The centre in Brunswick Street, which first opened its doors in November 2012, has provided 7,317 people with three days’ emergency food each.

And the need for food provisions shows no sign of slowing in the new year, as centre figures for January show they fed 646 people.

Project manager Ros Duerden and the volunteers who dedicate themselves to the cause, hope it will be able to provide a wider range of services to those referred for emergency food.

She said: “At the moment, we are looking for new locations but it’s a huge dream.

“We’ve been thinking about which direction to go in and how best to help people referred to us and we feel there is so much more we could do. We hope our new location will give us enough space to offer a range of follow-on services to those that are referred here and help us to focus on how to encourage people that have used our services.”

It is hoped as many people as possible will join in a nine-mile fundraising walk, the Morecambe Cross Bay Challenge led by an experienced guide.

Ros said walkers would get a bit wet and muddy but will also experience beautiful views and camaraderie.

Blackburn Foodbank is a Trussell Trust foodbank which means they receive training and help with things like websites, marketing and campaigning from the charity’s central hub, but do not receive any monetary help from the Trust.

A charity spokeswoman said: “The Trussell Trust works in partnership with community and church groups to help them set up their own Foodbank.

“They pay a fee of £1,500 which provides them with the help and training they need to open a foodbank.

“They then pay a contribution of £300 each year for their on-going support but any funds they need for local things, such as premises, has to be raised by them.

“We only ask for contributions to cover our costs and the trust makes absolutely no profit from the yearly contributions or initial outlay.”

To register for the Cross Bay walk, which takes place on June 21, call 01254 676545.