A food bank has been launched in Builth Wells to provide emergency food for people in crisis.

Builth Wells Community Support has become the latest satellite branch of Llandrindod Foodbank.

“This means that those with vouchers in the Builth area can now come here and don’t have to worry about travelling to Llandrindod,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

Food, toiletries and household items can be donated to the High Street shop on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm.

People who are in need of food are given a foodbank voucher after being referred by professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, police and probation officers.

A voucher is exchanged at a food bank for a three-day supply of emergency food which has been designed by dieticians to provide nutritionally balanced meals.

“While food is being packed, our volunteers will sit and chat with clients over a cup of tea or coffee. This enables us to hear people’s stories and perhaps signpost to agencies who can offer additional help and begin to resolve any underlying difficulties,” said Llandrindod Foodbank.

The food bank is part of the Trussell Trust network, which works in partnership with local churches and organisations to bring foodbanks to communities across the UK.

Susan Lloyd-Selby, Wales operations manager for the Trussell Trust, said: “Ultimately, we should all be protected from needing a food bank’s help, no matter the time of the year. Wales has the highest child poverty rates in the UK and if we are to end hunger in Wales, we need to make sure everyone is anchored from being swept into poverty.

“The Government needs to ensure benefit payments reflect the true cost of living and work is secure, paying the real Living Wage, which would help eliminate the need for a food bank parcel altogether.”

Volunteers have issued an urgent appeal for tinned fruit and fruit juice, tinned soup, tinned potatoes, healthy snack foods, washing up liquid and washing powder.