Schools in Chard and Taunton become foodbanks to help families through crisis

The Redstart Learning Partnership, which runs nine primary schools in South Somerset and Taunton, has set up facilities at Redstart Primary School in Chard and at Holy Trinity Primary School in Taunton.

"The foodbanks are supporting the school's most vulnerable families during these unprecedented times," a spokesperson for the Partnership said.

"As a Trust (we) wanted to do more for their families and in particular children in need during these uncertain times.

"The Trust understands that having sufficient food is one of the most basic needs and with children at home all week this must be causing more pressure on their families."

The Partnership packed and distributed 52 boxes in the first week and will be providing 76 families - 14 in South Somerset, 62 in Taunton - during the second week.

Sue Rogers, deputy CEO from The Redstart Learning Partnership, said: "Our temporary foodbank is a practical response to supporting as many families as possible across The Redstart Learning Partnership Trust of schools.

"We serve some very vulnerable communities in Somerset and we wanted to do all we could to support our children and their parents in what are unprecedented times.

"Two weeks ago this was an idea. Within two weeks our communities have raised £4,000.

"The Lord’s Larder in Chard have been a key partner in supporting our Chard families. This is an amazing achievement and reflects the sense of family that we have within our nine schools.

"Our families have been moved to tears when these boxes have been delivered and the comments we have received show just much this support is appreciated. We have already received more requests for next week.

"We will do all we can to maintain this provision for our children and their families in the difficult weeks ahead."

To support the foodbanks, crowdfunder page has been set up at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/trlpfoodbank?tk=de1a58ca71f392a7abf77e9675de272b1bc0eec1.