A FOOD bank which has helped thousands of people is to close.
The NG7 Food Bank handed out parcels to the hungry every Friday since it opened more than two years ago.
But a statement from the organisers have said the doors will shut at the end of the year – adding that Nottingham City Council is using it as a way of avoiding paying to support the needy.
A statement from the food bank, based at the Sumac Centre in Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, said the decision to close was "difficult" but their hand was forced by the council.
It said: "Regrettably and disappointingly, in meeting with senior Nottingham City Council managers they have advocated the co-opting of food banks as part of their strategies in avoidance of using their own funds.
"Despite our best ongoing efforts, we have recognised that we are not being used as a temporary service of last resort, but rather being seen as a part of the long-term strategy of replacement for statutory services, who have a duty and the resources to address a large part of the need.
"We recognise that other approaches are now required to attempt to change the current situation for many in our communities."
The city council was given £1.83 million by the Department for Work & Pensions for a hardship fund in 2013/14; of this, £1.48 million was spent.
The council said the surplus will be used to carry on the scheme when it finishes.
Deputy leader of the authority, Graham Chapman, said it was "committed" to helping the vulnerable.
He added: "Food banks are never the first point of call for people who require help but we are recognised across the city, together with a number of faith and community groups, as being an accepted point of referral.
"We have good relationships with a number of food banks, but have made no direct referrals to NG7 since July 2013 at the specific request of volunteers behind the scheme, who asked they were diverted through other agencies.
"We have ring-fenced all available funding to help with financial hardship.This will be cut by the Government next year but we will continue to make that support available to families in the city."
