IT'S all systems go for Tavistock Foodbank, after a 'brilliant' public meeting, held in the town last week.

Around 50 to 60 people attended the meeting at the parish church centre, to find out more about the planned foodbank, which will operate on Fridays from the United Reformed Church in Russell Street.

Val O'Neill, the foodbank co-ordinator, said she was 'delighted' with the response from the public: 'I never went to the initial meeting about setting up the foodbank, so I wasn't sure what the tone of this one would be, but certainly I felt the response was brilliant — it was a wonderful success.'

Representatives from the Citizens Advice Bureau attended and answered questions on the need for a foodbank for the town and surrounding areas, and a resumé of the progress made so far was reported.

The treasurer of the foodbank, the Rev Roger Cornish, explained that funds, in addition to food donations, would be needed to keep the venture going.

Val said: 'People were so supportive — we handed out volunteer forms and I have a stack of them to send group emails to now — I have even found a warehouse manager, someone who has a background in the services and in stores, which is fantastic.'

Val will be meeting the volunteers in the next few weeks to organise the five teams to run the foodbank's various functions.

It is hoped the first food boxes will be handed out around Easter to those in need.

The steering group behind the foodbank has agreed to hire a room from the URC which can be used as a warehouse, and Val is hopeful it can be fitted out with racking within the next fortnight.

Collection days for food donations have been organised — the first one will be at the Co-op in Brook Street on Friday March 23 and 30 from 9.30 to 1pm and Morrisons in Tavistock have agreed to hold one on Friday April 13 from 10am to 3pm.

On these days, shoppers will be given a list of items which will be required for the foodboxes, and invited to contribute goods from this list.

She said: 'I think we can now really begin to move forward. We have the people, we have the warehouse — it's all in place. We are already in Lent, and it will be Easter in no time!'

Anyone who would like more information about donating funds or goods to the foodbank should call co-ordinator Val O'Neill on 07941 436149.