Holbeach Community Larder celebrates 10th anniversary with afternoon tea event

A special event was held by an organisation to celebrate a ‘huge milestone’ of serving the community.

Holbeach Community Larder has spent a decade providing a foodbank for residents and marked its 10th anniversary with an afternoon tea at the weekend.

Volunteers for the charity organised tea and scones with some 35-40 people enjoying the event.

Chair of Trustees Jane Francis who has been involved since the foodbank was started said: “It went really well and it was great to invite those who sat in the original meeting who started up the foodbank.

“We hoped that in a few years’ time there would be no necessity for a foodbank – sadly there still is.”

Based at the Reading Rooms in Church Street, the foodbank operates on Wednesdays 10am -1pm and Fridays 12pm -1pm and has a community café.

It not only provides food parcels but also provision to pay for gas and electricity for those struggling with the cost of living.

Mrs Francis, who is retired, said: “Workers may face a big electricity bill or those who experience a short period of financial hardship- we can refer them to agencies for money advice.

“Sadly food banks have become a necessity for the local community.”

During the pandemic the café had to close which prompted food deliveries which the volunteers still carry out.

Mrs Francis added: “Still to this day we deliver to the community – to those who are housebound.

“Everybody is volunteers – they give their time – I am proud to say that nobody even claims for their expenses.

“I have a social conscience – there are things that need to be done in the community – I want to help those worse off – food banks are a necessity rather than a luxury.

“I want to say thank you to everyone.”

For further information contact Holbeach Community Larder on Facebook or call 07859 905903.