THE Okehampton Foodbank has managed to raise half of the funds needed to open this autumn — in just seven weeks. The foodbank last week crossed the £4,000 mark thanks to support from town mayor Kay Bickley, Okehampton Rotary Club and the 'Against the Stream' Fund. The 'Against the Stream' Fund is run by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and supports projects designed to help churches deal with poverty in their community. In their unanimous recommendation to give a maximum grant the committee wrote that the Okehampton Foodbank was both 'realistic and worthwhile'. Local Baptist minister, Darren Pike said: 'We are obviously very grateful to receive the money, however, we were also pleased to be given such a valuable assessment of this vital new project.' Okehampton Foodbank is being set up by Okehampton Baptist Church as part of its plan to make a difference for the community. Although giving out food parcels seems a simple idea the church believes that giving a food box does more than fill stomachs. It gives people hope, shows them someone cares and offers them the opportunity to rebuild their lives. There is still another £4,000 to find before the project can open so anyone who can help is asked to contact Darren on 07815751803.