The local charity THAT which provides food bank facilities locally, held its AGM last evening in the Buckland Community Centre. It was a well attended meeting, though with the usual AGM problems of an unwillingness by some to take on the vital committee jobs. (so if you want to get involved there is always a role for you!)
Excellent news coming out of the meeting is that courtesy of the generosity of Teign Housing a premises has been made available at the proverbial “pepper corn rent” on Buckland to serve as a base and distribution core. This is due to be officially opened this Thursday evening, by Cllr. Steven Purser on behalf of Teign Housing. A similar facility may also become available in the near future opposite the former Albany Street surgery.

While I think it is dreadful that food banks appear to have become a necessary evil in our towns and cities since the 1990’s and believe the root causes should be addressed as a priority, it is encouraging that much generosity of spirit is seen in the giving of time and effort by volunteers in an attempt to confront the problem of hunger. It must be fundamentally wrong for any child to leave home for school hungry, having not been provided with a decent breakfast. I am pleased therefore that this specific problem is being addressed by the Government.