Covid’s impact on food bank

A FOOD bank is calling on its supporters to continue their efforts as lockdown eases.

Crowthorne Food Bank, at Wellington Business Park on Dukes Ride, has seen the pandemic have a huge impact on its services over the past year.

It serves families in Crowthorne and surrounding villages including Yateley and Sandhurst.

More people in the community have offered their support to the food bank throughout a difficult year for families and individuals.

Vicky Lawford, manager of Crowthorne Foodbank, said there has been an “amazing sense of community” at the food bank.

She added: “So many people have offered to volunteer, I've never had to turn down so many offers before but it shows the generosity of our community.

Mrs Lawford explained they have also seen a rise in donations from the local community.

“Donations have also been coming in thick and fast which has not only allowed us to serve our community and families but we have been able to spread further afield to areas that are struggling for donations to ensure more families are supported,” she said.

At Easter, a four-year-old boy made a donation of chocolate eggs to the food bank, inspiring other schools and nurseries to do the same.

Having received a high volume of eggs, Mrs Lawford said she felt “blessed and amazed” at the generosity of the children.

She added “I find it truly uplifting that even our youngest generation see the need to help others and display such selfless acts of kindness.”

Remaining open throughout the pandemic, Crowthorne Foodbank were able to provide services to families who were struggling with redundancies and other issues caused by the pandemic.

Mrs Lawford said: “Food banks were and continue to be a lifeline for a lot of families and a pandemic only increases this need so there was absolutely no way we could shut and we are very grateful that our volunteers were willing to continue throughout.”