A REDDITCH youngster has opened a second food bank after feeding around 80 to 100 families a week.

Two years ago, Isaac Winfield opened a food bank shed outside his home in Greenlands and now due to soaring demand has opened a second site in Batchley.

Currently, Isaac’s Food Bank is helping around 80 to 100 families a week, with people queuing on busy days.

Claire- Louise Chapman, Isaac’s mum, said people are choosing between eating and heating.

“People are wanting meals that are really quick and that can be made in a microwave or by boiling a kettle – saving energy,” said Claire.

“We are well-prepared thanks to the generosity of the public.

“On our quiet days, we will have around ten visitors but then on busy days, we can see queues on the drive.

“We are busier than ever.”

Redditch Advertiser: Samuel's Place. Samuel's Place. (Image: Claire Chapman.)

On December 17, Isaac’s second shed at 1 Batchley Road was officially opened by the mayor of Redditch, Cllr Ann Isherwood.

A family has kindly offered their driveway to host the food bank which will be the same set-up as Isaac’s Food Bank.

“Sallie Attwell from Oakland International covered the costs of the new shed – the actual shed was donated to us, but Sallie has funded the CCTV and other costs,” said Claire.

“So, we have named the shed Samuels Place after her son Samuel.

“Earlier this year, Isaac collected solar power chargers to help those in Ukraine whose electricity had been cut off.

“He handed the donations into Oakland International which is where we first met Samuel and Sallie and since then we have kept in contact.

“A gentleman, Matt Duggins, offered to host the shed on his parents’ driveway – and he will be doing the day-to-day stuff and I will be making trips in the van to collect donations.

“We are so grateful to Matt and his family to let us expand.”

Redditch Advertiser: Isaac outside his toy shed. Isaac outside his toy shed. (Image: Claire Chapman.)

As well as expanding the food bank, Isaac has also set up a toy donation shed on his driveway.

Families who are struggling to purchase Christmas presents this year are able to come to the shed and choose a toy or two for their children.

The toy shed, unlike the food bank, is by appointment only.

“The toy shed has helped so many people this year, we must have handed out more than 100 gifts and we have had three times the number of donations,” added Claire.

“We have had some brilliant things donated – one gentleman even donated a bike.

“We wouldn’t have got this far without the generosity of the public and even though us adults put in some hard work it's all thanks to Isaac this has all happened.”

The ambitious 11-year-old does not just want to stop at two food banks, he already has his sights set on a third site in 2023.

“Isaac wants to set up a third site, maybe in Bromsgrove, but it’s finding a family who will be able to host a shed,” said Claire.

“Who knows what 2023 will bring!”