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Rhymney Valley Foodbank has received a new van to make deliveries and pick up stock which has already made a “big difference”.

The food bank, which runs in Aberbargoed, Rhymney and New Tredegar, received the vehicle as well as funds to run it for 12 months – covering insurance and fuel.

The chair of Rhymney Valley Foodbank, Reverend Canon Mark Owen told Caerphilly Observer it had been a welcome addition. 

He said: “The van, thanks to Caerphilly County Borough Council, has made such a big difference. 

“Prior to that, we were relying totally on volunteers to transport food.”

The van helps to reach places with poor access to public transport and can fit around one tonne of food, which would have equated to four trips in a car previously, according to food bank operations manager, Steve Jones.

Steve added: “It’s made our life a lot easier.” 

The van has been funded by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Empowerment Fund, which is available to support community projects, clubs and charities.

The scheme allocates each ward £4,490 per councillor.

Caerphilly Observer previously reported in July 2022 that only 30% of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s budget for community projects was spent in the 2021/22 financial year.

Cllrs Carl Cuss of Twyn Carno ward and David Harse and Mansel Powell who both represent Moriah and Pontloyttyn ward, pooled their funds together for the van. 

Cllrs Carl Cuss, David Harse and Mansel Powell said: “We can see the pressures the Rhymney Valley Foodbank is facing especially with the cost-of-living crisis and now mortgage crisis which is pushing residents to use food banks.

“We have been working [for] some time with the foodbank and we submitted a joint bid supported by us as Councillors for Twyn Carno, Moriah and Pontlottyn to utilise our Community Empowerment Fund Allocation to fund a new van which will deliver vital goods to our drop-in centres and residents. 

“We wish to place on record our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Rhymney Valley Foodbank for everything they are doing for our residents.”

Cllr Carol Andrews, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, said: “Local foodbanks provide invaluable support to some of our most vulnerable residents during times of crisis. 

“Sadly foodbanks have seen demand for their services increase significantly as a result of the current cost of living crisis and we’re proud to offer our support to help them continue assisting those in need in our communities.”

Reverend Mark and Steve expressed their gratitude to the council in general and also to the councillors themselves. 

Steve said: “They’ve been very, very supportive.”

The Rhymney Valley Foodbank operates throughout the week and can be found at Hafod Deg Community Centre, Rhymney on Tuesdays, on Wednesdays at St Peter’s Church in Aberbargoed and on Thursdays at the White Rose Centre, New Tredegar.

The food bank is open between 11am and 1pm on each of these days.