Desperate families could be left without over Christmas after Cardiff Foodbank’s van broke down during one of their busiest weeks of the year.
Staff and volunteers from Cardiff Foodbank take emergency food parcels to people across the city who are facing a financial crisis.
This Christmas is set to be one of their busiest times as more and more people ask for help.
But on Friday, their van broke down.
If the van is not fixed within the week or if they’re unable to find a replacement, the foodbank are worried that hundreds of people in Cardiff will be left without food.
Cardiff Foodbank’s Partnership and Fundraising manager Helen Bull said: “We don’t know what the implications will be until we know what’s exactly wrong with the van.
“We’ll either have to hire a van which is an incredible cost and money we don’t have and in the long term we’d need to fundraise to get repairs done or a new van.
“We close on Thursday we close for Christmas until January 2 so the next few days are absolutely key for us.
“Supermarkets will be getting rid of food which we could pick up.
“It’s important we get food out to the distribution centres so they are stocked before and during Christmas.”
The van is currently being checked at a garage.
It is believed to be an engine problem.
Since Cardiff Foodbank tweeted from its Twitter account, many good Samaritans have come forward to offer their own vehicles, but so far none of them have been able to fit the bill.
Helen added: “We have lots of people contacting us saying they have an SUV or an estate car but we need to pick up a huge volume of food from supermarkets.
“We are needing vans but what would also help would be a tail lift on the van because of the amount of food we’re picking up. We’re also running out of carts and dollies.
“It’s amazing how much food people have donated this year but it’s very overwhelming without the van.”
To offer help, please contact 02920 484120.
The van needs to have business insurance.
