Campaigners have admitted it was difficult to convince people that a foodbank for families on the brink of poverty was needed in their area.
The Towcester foodbank will provide emergency vouchers for people in crisis in parts of south Northamptonshire.
Kelly Ednie, tenancy support officer at South Northants Home, which set up the scheme with Churches Together, said: “South Northamptonshire is one of the least-deprived areas in the entire country.
“It was hard to get it through to people there is a growing need everywhere now, even here.
“It’s about changing people’s perceptions.”
Fuel and food prices have risen 30 per cent in the last year and experts believe rural poverty in the county is being masked by particularly wealthy areas.
Mrs Ednie said: “What’s really important now is that we get volunteers to support the foodbank and all our hard work.
“The project has already received a positive response and we hope many people in Towcester will be able to support it in some way.”
The foodbank will be based in a flat attached to the Riverside Centre, in Islington Road, Towcester, and will be open every Monday and Thursday for two to three hours.
Towcester foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s UK-wide foodbank network, which helps churches and communities open foodbanks.
People with an unexpected redundancy, benefit delay or bills are typical recipients.
Food is donated then packed by volunteers. Professionals, such as doctors and social workers, hand out vouchers, which are exchanged for three days-worth of food up to three times a year. Recipients are also directed to agencies that can provide longer-lasting help.
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