Penrith runners pound the pavements with food bank supplies

Penrith food bank receives essential supplies thanks to local running group

More than 50 runners took part in a food bank run to stock the shelves of a Penrith church and charity’s food bank.

The Salvation Army in Penrith received the much-needed donations for its popular food bank from members of local running group, Eden Runners, as part of the annual Food Bank Run initiative which takes place every February.

The group took to the streets of Penrith, with bags of donations in hand, pounding the pavements of the 10 kilometres route, from Penrith Rugby Union Football Club at Winters Park, calling in at The Salvation Army’s church and community centre on Hunters Lane to make their donations, before continuing their run.

Major Carole Donaldson, church leader of The Salvation Army in Penrith said: “We’re always in need of donations to our food bank but February is a particularly troubling month with our supplies often being low as well as demand being high. It is not too long since Christmas, when some might have overspent to put food on the table and presents under the tree, and the weather is also still bitterly cold, people are in the thick of rising energy bills and sadly we are seeing many having to make the agonising decision of choosing between heating and eating and turning to food banks when they never have before.

“We want to send our heartfelt thanks to the Eden Runners as we welcome these much-needed donations which is very much a case of local people helping local people. We continue to see unprecedented demand for food bank support from members of the community that are struggling to make ends meet and welcome all the offers of help that we receive.”

Runners carried the supplies of non-perishable goods in backpacks, carrier bags or simply in their hands and bought and chose the donations themselves.

John Myatt, a member of Eden Runners and also a volunteer at The Salvation Army food bank ran the 10 kilometre route, and said: “Eden Runners are a big part of the Penrith community with over 300 members, many of whom have lived in the town all their lives so there is a strong sense of community and many have been affected by what goes on locally, knowing people are struggling with the rising cost of living.

“We all have a great urge to help others in any way that we can so supporting the food bank and teaming it with our passion for running seemed like a good way to do something positive whilst also supporting The Salvation Army which I have seen first-hand how much they help and how needed the services are.”

The Salvation Army in Penrith has a Just Giving page available for those wishing to support and donate to the church and charity specifically for its work locally which can be found at www.justgiving.com/penrith-salvation-army and whilst all donations are welcome people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.