TWO charities providing food and help to those in need are commemorating a combination of eight years helping the community.

Blackburn Food Bank yesterday marked its fifth birthday by holding an open day to thank agency’s and people in the area for their support.

Meanwhile Hyndburn Helpers, who are based at St James Church in Accrington, also held an evening to celebrate their third anniversary on Wednesday.

The Blackburn group, who have been based at their Oakenhurst Road for three years, also provide debt advice, financial help, a computer hub and a clothes bank for people to use.

Up to 800 people per month come through its doors for help and more than 40,000 have been helped since charity started.

Foodbank manager Ros Duerden said: “It’s been amazing the support we’ve had and the work our volunteers do.

“We work towards putting ourselves out of business. It would be great to be able to shut this place down

“One day maybe this will happen, but there are still people out their who need our help”

Staff at the charity also said demand has increased over the years and now ‘more families’ come needing help.

The group also praised the ‘phenomenal’ recent donations they have had from schools and churches as part of their harvester collections to fill up its stockroom.

Around 85 volunteers help run the service along with four paid members of staff.

To use the service people get vouchers from one of 90 agencies the food banks works with, and then they can come in and get food parcels and hot meals.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern also attended the day and praise the work they have done for people in the area.

She said: “I’m really proud Blackburn gets so many caring people that volunteer and help out.

“This is a problem across the country and I’m really pleased Blackburn are ahead of the game with helping people.

“The response the group gets and the work they do, it’s pretty amazing.”

The Hyndburn group also welcomed 30 guests as part of their event to mark the service they have done in the area.

Volunteer Lisa Hilton said: “We had a fantastic night with everyone to make the occasion.

“The demand just keeps on increasing year on year and we can’t thank people enough for their support.

“We didn’t need food banks 30 years ago.

“It’s not just the homeless people we help or drug addicts, we have families, police officers and nurses coming to us needing help.”

Both groups are also calling for people to make donations ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Contact Blackburn Food Bank on 01254 672756 or message ‘Hyndburn Helpers’ on Facebook.