THE fight is on to save Swindon Foodbank, after the charity managing it announced it would close by the end of May.

Yesterday, Swindon Christian Community Projects blamed the decision to close Swindon Foodbank, Men’s Shed and Renew on governance problems, as well as operational and funding challenges.

Bob Hayward, chairman of Swindon Christian Community Projects, told supporters in an email: “We appreciate this news will be disturbing for many of you and for people across Swindon.

"We are currently working with the Trussell Trust to explore short-term interim solutions.

“These are not ready yet, so I ask for your patience and cooperation while we explore the possible interim solutions with churches and partners to ensure emergency food is still available for local people in crisis, as well as considering the implications of closure and the seeking of viable alternatives.”

Volunteers yesterday criticised the SCCP trustees. One Swindon Foodbank volunteer said: “This will have a huge impact on the people of Swindon. Every week we see new people who’ve never used the Foodbank before. Those people are now going to have nowhere to turn to.

“Now all the hard work of the volunteers has gone out the window.”

Swindon Borough Council is understood to be in talks with The Trussell Trust about saving the foodbank.

CounCathy Martyn, the council’s cabinet member for housing and public safety, said: “We only became aware of this matter today and we are extremely concerned about the announcement.

“We have also, today, been made aware by the Trussell Trust, which owns the franchise that both interim and future arrangements are being put in place to ensure the long-term future of a foodbank in Swindon.

"We will be offering all the support we can to ensure this important project stays open to the very many people who need it.”

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, is involved in the crisis talks. He said: “I've been speaking to members of staff at the foodbank and am hoping to speak directly to the Trussell Trust to help ensure that local volunteers can continue their important work.”

Kate Linnegar, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate in North Swindon, said: “I’m shocked. I think that the Tory administration that we have in at the moment should move very quickly to investigate the situation and try and stop it. People are literally going to starve.

“It’s their policies nationally that have caused the souring use of foodbanks.”