A food bank is to operate on a self-referral basis.

The Salvation Army in Macclesfield has found a new way to support people struggling to afford food.

They have chosen to allow their service to be accessed on a self-referral basis, offering greater dignity and choice to users.

Lieutenant Alice Swain, church leader of The Salvation Army in Macclesfield said: "Some people being pushed further into poverty might not meet the criteria of being able to access a food bank, but it doesn't make the need any less urgent or real.

"An ever-growing amount of people are living each month hand to mouth and if an unexpected car bill comes in or it's time to purchase a school uniform for their children, people have to make the agonising choice of cutting back, and sometimes that includes food and choosing to not eat.

"There is a wider poverty at play, the poverty where people look as though they are managing when actually, they are struggling to make ends meet."

She added: "Every week we see new faces; some may have never needed to use a food bank before, some may have never envisaged themselves being in that position, and that can be very daunting and overwhelming.

"There can be a stigma around accessing and using food banks but the reality is that food banks exist because the cost-of-living is just too high and benefits, and indeed wages, just aren't keeping up.

"We want to ensure that if someone is struggling one week that instead of choosing to go without food, they are able to come and access the food bank service with no questions asked, just a friendly helping hand when they need it the most."

The Salvation Army church in Macclesfield (Credit: Google Maps)

In partnership with Cheshire Streetwise, the food bank operates out of The Salvation Army's church and community centre in Macclesfield, entrance on Wellington Street, every Monday from 10am to 11am.

Clients to the food bank can browse a selection of products and choose which are right for them based on their requirements and needs, as well as their own tastes with food laid out on tables for people to choose what would work for their household and families. 

Lieutenant Swain continued: "Although Macclesfield can be perceived as an affluent, rural town, like everywhere there are pockets of poverty and people in our community are really struggling.

"The self-serve element of our food bank offers a level of dignity to users and a greater choice providing a chance for people to male their own decisions on food preferences which in turn generates less food waste.

"We're extremely proud to be able to offer this service to our community, alongside Cheshire Streetwise, in this innovative way."

For anyone wishing to support the work of The Salvation Army across Macclesfield, financial donations are accepted and while donations of all sizes are welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford. 

The Salvation Army in Macclesfield has a Just Giving page which can be found here.