A FOOD bank for pets that was set up last year, to help pet owners look after their animals during the cost-of-living-crisis, is in ‘desperate’ need of a premises in Melksham to operate from, due to high demand for the service.
Wendy Isaacs set up the pet food bank in December on Facebook with 20 designated drop-off points around Melksham, enabling people to donate items from food to pet accessories.
She then collects these items at the end of the week and posts them on Facebook for people to collect from her house. Due to a high demand for the service, the pet food bank is now in need of a physical premises in town.
“The pet food bank is being really well received,” said Wendy who used to own a pet care shop in the town for 13 years.
“There is a high level of need in the town and the numbers are growing which actually isn’t a good thing but the food bank is really helping. We are getting regular donations and new people joining all the time. There’s 540 people in the Facebook group and the numbers are going up little by little daily.
“The food bank has been working with designated drop-off points around the town, with me posting on Facebook the items we have in but I can see that in the not-too-distant future, we are going to need a premises as it might become too big for me to operate. At the moment, the items are taking over my small hallway and are now in my spare room!”
Describing the type of premises Wendy would like to use for the food bank, she said, “What we need is very specific. We would like it to be in town, or at least very close by. We need somewhere that can store the items. We would also like to sell some things on the side to be able to pay for the rent of the place. We need somewhere where we can have our own key and door.”
Reassuring the community that she will not be stopping the support if a premises is not found, Wendy said, “If we don’t find somewhere to operate out of, I will not be folding. I have no plans to do that. We are just in desperate need now and to be able to meet the need and run things properly, we need somewhere to operate out of.”
As well as donation points, the food bank also has an Amazon Wishlist of pre-selected items that people can purchase to be delivered to Wendy’s house for others to collect.
Wendy said, “Many people spend their own money every week to make donations of items for people to collect. “I would really like to stress that the people of Melksham are so generous, kind and caring. I am really humbled by the community.”
Once the pet food bank has a premises, Wendy plans to enlist the support of some volunteers to help run it. To contact Wendy about a premises in Melksham, or for more information, ring Wendy on 07393 501737, or email melkshampetfoodbank@gmail.com or visit the Melksham Pet Food Bank Facebook page.
Drop off points currently are: Morrisons Daily, Pembroke Road; The Salon, Unit 3, Verbena Court, SN127GG; Melksham Town Football Club, Oakfield; Orchardlea Clinic; Bay Tree Farm, Lower Woodrow, SN127RB; Pig and Whistle Pub; Natural Treats Wiltshire near Leekes; Factory Shop, Market Place; and the Co-op on Blackmoore Road.