A FILM writer has set out to tell an 'extraordinary' tale, documenting the humble beginnings of Bournemouth Foodbank.
Tim John, a Bournemouth-based screenwriter best known for writing the award-winning film A Street Cat Named Bob, has launched a fundraiser to create an "uplifting documentary about the astonishing woman who started a foodbank from her garden shed".
Tim said: "This is a true story about a single mum in recovery from drug addiction who started Bournemouth Foodbank from a garden shed and turned it into a major success."
In the early 2000s, single mum Vicki Jarvis lost custody of her four children and was admitted into a rehabilitation centre for drug addiction.
In 2005, Vicki reunited with her children and was in recovery. During this time, she joined a church in Bournemouth and found 'a strong faith.'
The church Vicki attended offered food to people in need on a small scale. However, she wanted to create a similar concept for the wider community.
Vicki said: "When I was in active addiction, my children often didn't eat unless we went to places like the Salvation Army.
"So, I have been on both sides, and I was very keen that there would be something to help people on a larger scale."
In 2007, Bournemouth Foodbank started its partnership with The Trussell Trust and implemented a three-day parcel system for people who had lost their jobs and were experiencing delayed benefits as one-off crisis support.
At this time, Vicki didn't have a venue to operate and, therefore, had to run the charity from a shed in her garden.
Last year, the foodbank provided more than 115,000 meals to more than 13,000 people.
More than 30,000 of the meals were for children.
Vicki's eldest daughter, Becca Payne, now manages the warehouse.
Becca said she has noticed a steep increase in people using the foodbank, saying some of the people who used to donate food have ended up needing to use it for themselves.
Tim added: "Every little help's is a supermarket slogan, but it's especially true of food banks. And needed now more than ever."
To donate to the production of the documentary: Vicki- The Punk Who Fed The Poor, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/vicki-the-punk-who-fed-the-poor-a-documentary.
Tim plans to work for free, and all profits raised from the film will be donated to Bournemouth Foodbank.
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