Foodbank bosses will carry on after church break-in (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Foodbank bosses will carry on after church break-in

9:21am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By William Tomaney

BOSSES at Kidderminster Foodbank have vowed to carry on feeding people in need after Baxter Church, where it is based, was broken into.

A television used by elderly people at a lunch club was stolen from the Bull Ring-based church during the incident which happened between 10am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

The mobile telephone used by the foodbank to contact those in need was also taken and £900 damage was caused by the break-in.

The 42-inch television was worth £200 and had been bought with money left to the church in the will of Lynn England, wife of former minister The Rev Gerald England, when she died in 2007.

Thieves attempted to lever large double doors and a side door before removing a kitchen window, causing damage of £500. Part of the panels of two internal wooden doors were also broken causing a further £400 damage.

Foodbank co-ordinator Maureen Lewis said she was “sad and disappointed” about the incident.

“It is a big setback for us with the phone because I have had to email people who I can to see if they need food,” she added. “Anyone who needs food until we get a new phone will have to call 07704 027114.

“It has not deterred us because people need to be fed. We have seen the good and now the bad side of people but we will not stop because people have been so grateful for what they have been given and the need is still out there.”

Church secretary Bill Robson said: "The Sunday service went ahead as best it could but the burglary has caused a great deal of distress to everyone."

The foodbank will continue to open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, plus 9.30am to 12.30pm on a Friday.

Anyone with information should contact PC Angeline Baker at West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident 190-s-200113, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.