Feeding the 3,000 in Cardiff

A Cardiff charity is giving food to people who are in financial distress. Up to three thousand people to be precise.

Cardiff Foodbank is part of the National Foodbank Network. In 2008 20 centres were in existence. Today there are 69, including 10 in Wales. Many social analysts believe that the demand for these Foodbanks will escalate as the economic crisis deepens in the UK.

Cardiff Foodbank started collecting food in December 2009, and collected a network record quantity of food over one weekend from their first supermarket collection at Sainsbury's Thornhill - over 1.8 tons. Six supermarket collections have taken place to date. Schools, colleges, university departments, businesses, individuals, churches and other community groups have organised ongoing collections for the Foodbank.

The first Cardiff Foodbank centre also opened in May this year at Archer Road Baptist Church, Ely. The charity opened a second centre in the heart of the City in September, with another base due to launch in Cathays in November. More are planned over the next year

People visiting a Cardiff Food Bank centre are given a three-day supply of food, which includes tinned goods, fruit, meat and fish, as well as pasta, tea bags and UHT milk. A parcel for a family of four weighs approximately 30kg and is worth anything from £26 - £40

People donate food to the Food Bank, often at collection points outside the city's supermarkets. Volunteers invite shoppers to give a small amount from their shopping trolley on the basis that they are helping to feed the capital's most needy residents. Other donations come from churches, schools and businesses.