Stephensons Solicitors LLP is linking up with Atherton and Leigh Foodbank to help people in the local community.
From this month, the law firm will make monthly firm-wide collections for the foodbank and will also hold legal drop-in sessions for local people to access free initial legal help on foodbank collection days.
Almost 12 months ago, the foodbank issued an average of 80 vouchers a month to people in need, however more recently this has risen to almost 150 vouchers a month, demonstrating how much of a vital resource it is for local people living in poverty.
Ngaryan Li, a solicitor in the Pro Bono team at Stephensons who will conduct the legal drop in sessions, said: “Since April 2013, welfare reforms such as bedroom tax, localisation of council tax support, local welfare provisions and the most controversial introductions of Universal Credit and the benefit cap have affected many low income families who have struggled in maintaining their small family incomes.
“The Trussell Trust reports that those visiting foodbanks has tripled this year with 350,000 people receiving a minimum of three days emergency food from the Trust foodbanks between April to September 2013 compared to a year ago.
“Locally there is a real demand for foodbank support and our aim is to support the excellent work the foodbank is doing to help people in desperate situations by making regular donations from our 400 staff. In addition, we will be on hand on the foodbank collection day once a month to give legal help on welfare benefits advice to make sure people are getting the necessary financial support.”
David Hughes, secretary of the Atherton and Leigh Foodbank said: “Nationally the statistics say 1 in 5 people fall below the poverty line but locally it is more like 1 in 4. Therefore we are extremely grateful for the support from our local volunteers and organisations such as Stephensons who dedicate time and resource to helping in their community.”