LOCAL and national politicians came together last week to mark the first birthday of the Caldicot Food Bank.

Local MP, Jessica Morden, was joined by Welsh Government Minister for Culture and Sport and local AM, John Griffiths, and the Caldicot Mayor, Cllr Alan Davies, joined together to celebrate a year which has seen them providing over five hundred people with assistance, nearly one hundred and fifty of which were children.

Speaking about her visit, Jessica Morden MP said: "My experience here and in Newport is that the majority who seek help really feel embarrassed by their situation, and are often caught by such things as unemployment, benefit delays and homelessness."

One of the founders of the Food Bank, Mrs Jackie Strong, added: "We find many clients have benefit payment problems – either administrative errors that can leave claimants without cash for weeks, or the temporary withdrawal of benefits as a result of sanctions – as a major factor in the increase in demand for food aid.

"Changes to benefit rules on housing is also a major factor."

The Caldicot food bank offers a minimum of three days worth of emergency food, and support, to local persons in the Caldicot and Magor areas, who are experiencing a crisis.

Those who qualify may be given a voucher to access their emergency aid, and these are supplied by agencies such as the Probation Service, Social Workers, Housing Associations and Job Centres.

The Food Bank is operated by the Raven House Trust, under the auspices of Churches Together in Caldicot.