A NORTH Wales food bank is geared up for an increase in demand.

The Leader reported recently how Flintshire Foodbank, based in Mold, was preparing to put extra measures in place to protect volunteers and clients from the coronavirus.

Sue Leake, manager of the food bank, has said the organisation is working as normal to support as many people as possible.

One distribution centre has had to close temporarily however - and the food bank is now only able to allow one client in at a time.

Mrs Leake explained: "We have had to close the Saltney centre temporarily - it is just not possible to keep it going at the moment.

"But we have enough volunteers to keep the other centres going.

"Donations were down last week, but this week we have had a lovely response from the public - they have been very generous.

"We are operating as normal, so people can still get their vouchers and get their food.

"Client-wise, we can only have one person in at a time now, and we have hand gels and gloves - we're doing our best to support and protect our volunteers."

Looking ahead, she added: "At the moment the demand is about the same as normal.

"But we are expecting that to rise and we are geared up and prepared for it.

"Times are very challenging, but our volunteers are brilliant. The food network would not exist without them.

"They are all very pleased to be helping and they know that what they are doing makes a difference."

The food bank will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, but Mrs Leake said clients would be given enough supplies to cover that period of time.

She added the items most needed at the moment are tinned veg and ready meals, tinned or packed potatoes and UHT milk.

To find out more, visit: https://flintshire.foodbank.org.uk/