A GROWING food-bank scheme to help those in urgent need has now appointed a part-time project co-ordinator.

Alison Flint has started with the Hambleton Foodshare Scheme following a successful application to Hambleton’s community grants programme.

She is now the main point of contact for customers, referral agencies and external organisations and is also responsible for managing the volunteers who collect, sort and distribute food parcels.

The chairman of the scheme, David Kerfoot, said: “It is anticipated that the 20 hour per week post will be extended beyond March 2014 to help drive the project forward and ensure the scheme can respond quickly to the demand for emergency food provision.

“Discussions are underway with a number of local businesses to address food supply chains, storage and distribution and Alison will be putting in place a series of measures to secure the long term sustainability of the initiative.”

The Hambleton Foodshare scheme issued 31 emergency food parcels alone over the Christmas period, and 677 parcels since it opened last March. Although based in Northallerton it now provides food parcels to individuals and families facing short term crisis across Easingwold and the surrounding villages.