Support floods in for food bank after
People have rallied to join in with our Christmas appeal to help those most in need with support flooding in for local food banks. LIZ PERKINS reports
ASWANSEA food bank has been overwhelmed with goods in the run-up to Christmas, thanks to the Post’s festive appeal.
The Rev Chris Lewis, who runs the Eastside Food Bank, said he was delighted by the level of response and that he hoped the support would continue, adding people would not just need goods to tide them through the challenging times over Christmas but right into the new year.
The Evening Post’s Everyone Deserves A Christmas appeal is calling on people to donate carrier bags of items so people in need can have a taste of Christmas by supporting the network of food banks across South West Wales, including Eastside Food Bank and Llanelli Food Bank, Faith In Families, the Swansea Homeless Sanctuary, along with the Salvation Army in Carmarthen.
Mr Lewis said: “First, thanks to Evening Post readers for a huge response to the Christmas appeal.
“The shelves at Eastside Food Bank are filling up, but the food bank continues to be busy and food is also going out a greater rate than in previous years.
“But a food bank is not just for Christmas but for every week of the year.”
An urgent call has also been made for volunteers to step forward and lend a hand in support of the food bank.
Mr Lewis added: “When one of the Eastside Food Bank volunteers who makes supermarket collections on Thursday evenings had to withdraw for the time being, the team agreed that we could appeal to that same immensely generous spirit we find in Swansea people.
“Early every Thursday evening, about six o’clock, we pick up donations of fruit, vegetables and bread from the Lidl stores at Parc Tawe and Trallwn for distribution the next day. We wondered, could any car owners help us with this on a temporary basis?
“The time commitment will be an hour or less.” ■ Anyone who is able to help should contact either Chris or Janet on eastsidefoodbank@ gmail.com, 01792 412755 or 07904 318231. ■ People wishing to give Christmas carriers should donate the following items for adults: Tins of ham/chicken or other meat; jar of pickle/sauce to complement the meat; tin of fruit/small Christmas pudding; small packs of cake, biscuits, nuts and other treats – such as a chocolate bar. ■ For children: Small toy/ crayons/colouring books; sweets and chocolate.