28 Nov Colchester Foodbank need your support this Christmas
Last December, the foodbank provided 837 three day emergency food supplies to local people in crisis, 360 of which went to children, and is concerned this December could be even busier.
Covering the costs of increasingly cold weather and having children at home during the school holidays make December a difficult time for many people. When this is paired with something unavoidable like a delayed benefit payment, illness or levels of benefits not covering the cost of essentials, people are pushed into crisis.
The foodbank is a member of The Trussell Trust network, which this week has revealed foodbanks across the UK see a sharp spike in demand over December compared to the rest of the year.
In the lead up to Christmas 2017, people across North East Essex pulled together to ensure the foodbank had enough food and funds to ensure everyone referred was able to access emergency help. The charity is encouraging anyone planning to support their work this Christmas to donate as soon as possible, to ensure stretched foodbank volunteers have enough time to process and distribute generous donations during the busy lead up to Christmas.
Throughout December, the charity will also be offering extra support, giving festive food hampers to every client and in partnership with Emmaus vouchers for a shoebox Christmas presents for children referred by frontline professionals for our help, alongside the standard emergency food parcel.
Any donations of presents for children should be sent to Emmaus at 175 Magdalen St, Colchester CO1 2JX. Any donations of food items liked tinned vegetables, small packets of rice, washing capsules, deodorant, christmas food items and vital funds which are particularly needed, and can be made by dropping off donations at supermarkets and at our warehouse, or visiting Colchester Foodbank’s website page where people can donate money either as a one of gift or even better commit to giving a regular monthly gift.
www.colchester.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money
