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A new weekly food bank and warm place is opening in Penyrheol following “increasing demand” in the area.

The food bank will be running at Bethel Baptist Church, on Station Terrace, every Monday between 11am and 1pm.

It will form part of Caerphilly Foodbank, which is run by the Connect Life Church in Caerphilly town centre.

Ryan Hyde, who runs Caerphilly Foodbank, said: “We have seen an increasing demand across the ward in Penyrheol, so we hope this new centre will help those requiring support.

“People can get in touch and we can see how to assist. It may be a temporary need or require some other support to achieve change, but we encourage people to come forward and contact us.”

Penyrhreol councillor Steve Skivens thanked the church and its members for setting up the new service. He said: “The community council does assist foodbanks serving people across the ward but it is worrying that we are seeing an increasing need in our community.”

Cllr Skivens, who sits on both Caerphilly County Borough Council and Penyrheol, Trecenydd, and Energlyn Community Council, continued: “We will always seek to support where we can, but why has this need been allowed to increase over the last decade?

“It’s not right. Our communities deserve better.”

He added: “People attending such foodbanks can also receive support from other agencies and organizations in complete confidentiality.”

Cllr Skivens’ views were echoed by his Plaid Cymru colleague Lindsay Whittle, Senedd Member for Caerphilly.

Mr Whittle, who has volunteered at Caerphilly Foodbank for eight years, said: “We need to create policies in Wales to ensure people do not need these facilities and I’m working to that end at the Senedd.

“But until we can achieve that goal, I will continue to support the foodbanks as best as I can.”

75th anniversary

On Sunday February 8, Connect Life Church – also known as Caerphilly Elim Church – celebrated the 75th anniversary of the first service at its building on Crescent Road in 1951.

The church’s history began three years earlier in 1948, when PS Brewster came from the City Temple (now City Church) in Cardiff to hold a series of services in a large marquee next to Caerphilly Castle before the moat had been reinstated.

In the three-quarters of a decade since the church opened its doors, thousands of people have attended services, been married, and attended Sunday School and other youth club activities there.

Pastor Steve Harris, one of the ministers at the church, said: “We have had some amazing leaders over the years starting with its first pastor, Ron Jones, who I remember when I was a child.

“We have a great team of staff and volunteers at the church, and we are so blessed to have a vibrant, all age congregation each Sunday morning with an average congregation of close to 150 people from young children, youth to those in their 80s.

“Our desire is still the same as it was back when it started – which is to introduce people to Jesus who loves them and his life changing power.”

The church currently runs three food bank sessions, three baby and toddler groups, and a number of children’s and youth groups during the week.