A church-run foodbank in an area of Wales that was hard hit by the downturn in manufacturing is celebrating supporting its 1000th client.

The Ebbw Vale foodbank in Blaenau Gwent in south Wales has donated eight tonnes of food to families in need since it was launched in October 2008.

The foodbank offers emergency food to families and individuals facing a short-term crisis, like redundancy, illness, debt or domestic violence.

Festival Church Trust, which runs the foodbank, collects food donations from people living in the area, as well as schools, churches and businesses, including Unilever.

It is founded on the concept of neighbours helping neighbours and volunteers regularly stand outside the local branch of Tesco with shopping lists. Shoppers are invited to purchase one item on the list during their shop and donate it to the foodbank at the end.

In one recent collection at the supermarket, more than 500kg of food was donated by shoppers visiting the store.

The foodbank was set up by churchgoer Adrian Curtis after he was made redundant by HBOS last year.

He said the demand for emergency food in 2009 had been “incredible”.

“It is clear that many families have struggled through a difficult year,” he said.

“Thanks to generous donations from members of the public we have managed to help 1,000 people.

“Our clients are very grateful, some have been in tears.”

One client who wished to remain anonymous said: “It’s not just the food – it’s the fact that someone cares.”