FROM the end of June, the Wellington Foodbank will no longer open on a Monday due to a shortage of volunteers.

The cut in hours means the service will only be able to open each Thursday from 1pm to 3pm when a Citizens Advice support worker is available on site.

The Wellington Foodbank operates from the United Reform Church, Fore Street, Wellington.

The foodbank, which is affiliated to Taunton Foodbank, has been running since 2013, and works with a number of local organisations who can issue foodbank vouchers and refer clients who are at risk of going hungry and supplying emergency food parcels to those in need.

Last year alone, more than 700 hungry people were supported by the service through an agency referral in advance from Somerset Council, Citizens Advice, Kings Arms Community Hub, or via help by local schools and churches.

FoodBank operations supervisor Phil White said: “We are very grateful for all donations which are made through Waitrose, CO-OP and Lidl, and directly to the Foodbank in the United Reform Church.

“Currently our stocks are running low and we are particularly in need of the following items: pasta, spaghetti, pasta sauces, rice, tinned meats, tinned fruit and vegetables.

“Unfortunately in these challenging times, we continue to see a demand for emergency food support and we strive to support those in need within the local community.”

Wellington Foodbank is the latest in a series of local organisations struggling due to a lack of volunteers.

Most recently Help for Heroes were looking to recruit more volunteers to help with bucket collections and other activities while local Scout and Cub groups were facing the prospect of closing sessions for younger members if new volunteers didn’t come forward.

St John Ambulance also held a recruitment drive in April this year to attract new volunteers.