'FANTASTIC' — that was the verdict following the first collection day organised by the new Tavistock Foodbank.

Volunteers staged a collection of food staples at the Co-op store in Brook Street last Friday morning — the goods will be made up into food parcels to be distributed when the foodbank opens next month.

Val O'Neill, co-ordinator of the foodbank, said: 'It was really good, we had a fantastic response and the Co-op were superb, they set us up really well.

'The general public were wonderful — we were told generally that one in three people will donate — I watched people go in and come out and most people bought at least one item. One lady actually bought two carrier bags full, which was wonderful.'

Val said members of Tavistock Rotary Club were also on hand to help, but the foodbank volunteers, staging a collection for the first time, were 'marvellous'.

'They were welcoming, they explained about the foodbank quickly and thanked people for their help, they did a great job,' said Val.

'Lots of people asked if we would be doing this again and I actually picked up a couple of new volunteers as well.

'I was a bit nervous but it went really well, we had a lovely response, we received next to no negativity and many people were interested in staying to chat about how the foodbank came about.'

Foodbank organisers are aiming to collect more than a ton of food donations before opening.

Vouchers for food parcels, which have a set list of staple, non-perishable and nutritionally balanced items, can be applied for through organisations such as Tavistock Citizens' Advice Bureau and Tavistock Children's Centre.

Last Friday's collection amounted to around 180 kilograms of food, which Val said was in line with most first collections for a foodbank: 'As our target is around one ton we have some work to do,' said Val, who hoped that the next two collection days would see a big boost in stock totals.

The donations are being stored at the United Reformed Church in Russell Street and the foodbank will be open at the church on Fridays.

Val said she would like to say a huge 'thank you' to anyone who had donated food last Friday.

But although the stocks are now building up, the organisation was also desperately short of cash.

Tavistock churches have been supporting the foodbank financially, but funds were needed to help pay rent and bills.

Val said: 'As a rule, a foodbank will need around £5,000 in its first year. We aren't in four figures yet so there is lots of work to be done.'

The next foodbank collection day will be at the Co-op in Brook Street tomorrow (Friday) between 9.30am and 1pm, and at Morrisons in Tavistock on Friday, April 13 between 10am and 3pm.