The Community Emergency Food Bank serves people in Oxford who are facing a domestic and financial crisis and cannot feed themselves or their families.

CEF is a charity founded by Jane Benyon, a retired social worker, who was inspired by a similar idea in the US.

“I saw one operating in Chicago and I thought it was an excellent idea,” said Jane. “Some people might ask why a city like Oxford needs a food bank. The reality is that many people go hungry through debt, sickness, sudden job loss, addiction, gambling, marriage breakdown, or delays in receiving benefits.

"A number of food banks have started all over the country. We opened at the end of April and have already fed more than 200 people, and the numbers are growing fast. Often this sort of poverty is hidden — people don’t like to admit that they are in crisis, feeling it is an admission of failure.”

CEF limits people to three parcel collections per person or family. There are various collection points in Oxford.

“Already food is being donated to us by churches and schools. Each parcel contains enough nutritionally balanced food for three days' supply," she said.

"All the food is non-perishable, which means we are unable to accept fresh fruit or vegetables, or frozen foods, and we can only help people who have cooking facilities. The food we receive is stored in Bladon, and checked by the Health and Safety Executive, before being driven to our centre in Oxford.”

CEF operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 2pm in St Francis’ Church, Hollow Way. People are referred by doctors, social workers, health visitors, the church, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and community workers.

CEF is always looking for donations of food. One idea is to take advantage of supermarket offers like ‘buy one get one free’. A volunteer suggested: “You could keep one and donate one to CEF!”

CEF is always looking for volunteers to help run the bank. The skills needed are common sense, sensitivity to the needs of others, and a good sense of humour. If you would like to help, contact Jane on 01993 810622 or 07935 771 843, email jane@cefoxford.co.uk or Lucinda Lewis Crosby on: 01865 735378 or 07973 904 735, email: lucinda@ cefoxford.co.uk To contribute to this column, contact Oxfordshire and Voluntary Action by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk