Community support helps record number

Volunteers and supporters of a South Holland food bank have seen around four times the usual number of people because of coronavirus.

The Holbeach Food Bank has been open throughout the pandemic, and will be helping many families during the festive season.

The volunteers behind the community effort have even put together 56 parcels, complete with gifts, for Christmas.

“We have had a lot of support and the Holbeach Sports Academy has given presents for the children – and their mums. They were all wrapped and ready to hand over,” said Gill Rogers, of the food bank.

An ever increasing tide of people has been relying on the food bank as a result of the pandemic and there’s little sign of it slowing down.

“In April 2019 we helped a total of 41 people, in April this year it was 263,” said Mrs Rogers.

“It has been three or four times our usual number and we’ve been incredibly busy,” she added.

Last December a total of 71 people were helped by the foodbank, this year it is 100 for the first two weeks alone.

Working alongside the food bank, the Holbeach Community Cafe was forced to close during lockdown, but turned its attention to home deliveries with around 25 people being regularly helped.

Volunteer cook Karen Slator, of the Fun Farm soft play centre, will be ensuring Christmas dinner is going out to those who need it this year, irrespective of what tier South Holland is in.

She will be working with a team of people who are giving up their Christmas morning to help out.

The community cafe, which has been running since 2013, provides meals for those in difficult circumstances.

This year the Christmas meals will be delivered to around 40 people thanks to volunteer drivers helping out.

“Normally, on the last Friday before Christmas we have a dinner – but we can’t do that this year. Karen is cooking for us, as she did last year, on Christmas Day so they can have a festive meal,” said Jane Francis.

Both the food bank and the community cafe would be happy to hear from anyone who can volunteer in the New Year. Contact the foodbank on 07511 091637 or Jane at the cafe on 07909 682351.