Busiest ever year for food bank

A Spalding food bank has experienced its busiest ever year.

The Agape Care bank at The Lighthouse Project handed out 1,330 parcels through the food bank and over 2,000 through its larder.
It also served up over 2,000 hot takeaway meals and the same again for filled rolls and soup.
March was its busiest month of all time where 153 parcels have been shipped out.
A spokesman for the food bank said it was due to many ‘struggling with crippling energy costs’.
“We were very thankful to have the resources to meet the increasing need. To also help families in crisis this year, we benefitted from the Household Support Fund grants from the Government, administered to us by SHDC, which we were able to give out as supermarket vouchers to those most in need.
“Our thanks also go to Frieberger in town who regularly (sometimes weekly) supply us with pizzas and our local farmers for their seasonal fresh vegetables, especially sacks of potatoes.
“As well, our thanks go to those in the community who regularly support us through our bins in Sainsburys and Morrisons.
“Your giving has been continuous throughout 2023 and has been a tremendous help and encouragement.”
Agape particularly thanked Spalding United Football Club, Pinchbeck East Primary School, Ayscoughfee Hall School, Spalding High School, Spalding Grammar School, The Works, Springfields, The Lincolnshire Co-op, Morgan and Thompson, Spalding Labour Party, St Nicholas Parish Church, Avon toiletries (Louise Neal), Lidl toy donation and Gousto for over 2,500 tins of tomatoes.
An army of volunteers do an amazing job behind the scenes.
It’s not just been food with the food bank, donations of duvets, sleeping bags and clothes have been regularly handed out when provided.
“There are many needs amongst those who visit the food bank,” the spokesman continued.
“There’s serious illness for people concerning themselves or their children, requiring numerous hospital visits that drain finances; sudden redundancy, a lack of work opportunities, which can lead to homelessness, family breakups, domestic abuse, delays to benefits, a sudden bereavement; long term illness or disability, a sudden need to pay for essential household goods when there is no extra money available and many more reasons that can bring people to the food bank, with tears, in desperation.
“We are thankful we are there to help and can do so by your continued support and care.”