NEW recruits are being sought to take forward the work of a Royal award-winning West Somerset charity which aims to make sure nobody in the district goes hungry.

The West Somerset Food Cupboard, based in Minehead, has been providing emergency food boxes to individuals and families since 2007.

Last year, it received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of its outstanding work.

Long-serving food cupboard co-ordinator Ali Sanderson stepped down last month and was replaced on an interim basis by volunteer Clare Walsh while the charity’s trustees continued to look for somebody suitable to take over.

Now, the food cupboard is advertising part-time vacancies for a co-ordinator and for a team leader to work with the charity’s trustees to provide emergency food ‘for those in need without prejudice, and to develop and promote projects that facilitate food resilience with kindness and compassion’.

Ms Walsh said: “I have volunteered at the West Somerset Food Cupboard, so have seen first-hand the wonderful support volunteers and staff give to our local community.

“I have lived in the West Somerset area for over 20 years, most recently working at Aurora Foxes developing partnerships with national hospitality employers and Government policy makers to raise awareness of the benefits of employing young people with learning disabilities.”

The food cupboard has distributed more than 17,000 food boxes to local people experiencing food insecurity, including more than 5,000 last year alone.

It also operates a weekly membership-based Local Pantry from St Michael the Archangel Church, Alcombe.