VOLUNTEERS at a local foodbank which supports hundreds of in-need residents say they don’t know where to turn amid hopes they can raise £250,000 to purchase their current building - and they’re hoping locals understand the seriousness of their situation.

Stairfoot Foodbank has been running out of Ebenezer Wesleyan Reform Church, on Hunningley Close, for the last five years.

They help between 60 and 130 families every week with their food parcels but they have recently been told they need to vacate the building before it goes up for auction on June 23.

Co-ordinator Dawn Whiteley says they have two options - either find new premises of which there are none suitable locally, or raise the £250,000 needed to purchase the church.

The fundraising hasn’t been as successful as she’d have liked and she wants residents to know exactly the predicament they are facing.

She told the Chronicle: “One person has given us £100, two have given us £50 and one chap that’s actually struggling himself came in and gave us £20.

“People are trying to help but I don’t think it’s getting through to people how serious this is.

“I just don’t know what to do at the minute.”

The foodbank are hoping to put on a number of charity events - including one this week - in the hopes of raising as much money as possible.

And it’ll include some of the volunteers stripping off for a Full Monty night later this year.

Dawn added: “We’ve had a medium night this week.

“And then the next one is Full Monty.

“It’ll be local lads - a couple who come to the foodbank - and they’re all up for it.

“We’re going to put a drag act on for that as well so it’s going to be a really good night in May.

“We’re just hoping that people will dig deep.”

But currently, the volunteers are struggling to find who to turn to - and Dawn says the council haven’t been as helpful as she’d have liked.

“They just keep telling me that there’s no money to buy this,” she added.

“There might be some money to rent somewhere, but there’s nowhere for us to rent.

“I’m not getting anywhere with them.”

Anna Hartley, executive director for public health and communities at the council, told the Chronicle: “We recognise how important Stairfoot Foodbank is to the local community and understand the concern that uncertainty about its future causes for volunteers and those who use their service.

“The council has worked with Stairfoot Foodbank over a number of years, to provide advice, guidance and support alongside wider partners.

“Across Barnsley, we work with a wide range of independent, community‑led foodbanks, food pantries and food support organisations, which operate from their community venues across the borough.

“Our approach to food support is set out through the Good Food Barnsley programme, which focuses on helping people access food in ways that are sustainable, dignified and meet good standards.

“This includes working with organisations to explore a range of models; such as foodbanks, food pantries and other community‑based provision, depending on what best meets local need.

“We currently work with 30 locations across Barnsley offering a range of provision, developing services that give people increased choice, dignity in what they consume, and supporting people with a healthy diet.

“In recent months, council officers have continued to speak with Stairfoot Foodbank about a range of options, including discussing alternative models of support and the types of venues that may be more suitable in the longer term.

“Any decisions about future arrangements, including the location they operate from, are a matter for the organisation itself.

“While the council cannot purchase or take on responsibility for individual buildings, particularly where there would be significant acquisition and ongoing investment costs alongside existing food provision across the borough, we will continue to offer advice, signposting and support where appropriate, in line with our wider approach to food support.”