A FOODBANK which announced its temporary closure last week battled back and reopened on Monday.

The Witney & West Oxfordshire Foodbank closed on Tuesday, but within a week it fought against the current conditions to open again to the public.

The foodbank is now able to honour vouchers and hand out parcels from Monday to Friday, between 10am and midday.

Anyone with a red voucher is asked to go to the back car park at Cottsway Housing Association.

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Susan Shayler, the foodbank’s treasurer, said: “Our demographic for volunteers is older and they begun to self-isolate, plus we couldn’t self-distance as as there was too many people.

“At the moment, our main concern is donations, so if people could donate any one item of non-perishable goods at supermarkets that would be ideal.”

Items can be donated at collection points at Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in Witney and Asda in Carterton.

During opening hours, there will be a donations trolley where goods can be donated, however items are not to be left when the foodbank is closed.

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Monetary donations are also being accepted on the foodbank’s website.

Witney Town Council leader Rosa Bolger said she was 'thrilled' to see the foodbank reopening and gave her thanks to all involved in making it happen – 'especially Cottsway'.

But she went on: “Sadly this is is a common picture around the country with many foodbanks closing or under threat of closure.

“Foodbanks shouldn’t need to exist, but the service they provide is critical - please support them if you can, either by donating or volunteering.

“Let’s help our community’s foodbank thrive for those who need it.”