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South Holland community urged to support tenth Christmas Foodbank Appeal




The Spalding Guardian is today launching its tenth annual Christmas Foodbank Appeal in a year unlike any other.

A global coronavirus pandemic has meant new challenges to foodbanks for South Holland, so your help is needed now more than ever.

Homelessness, unemployment, benefit delays,domestic abuse and ill health are just some of the factors forcing desperately needy people to visit churches in the area and pick up three-day emergency food parcels.

Irene and Keith Davies, of Agapecare Foodbank Spalding, with volunteers for the launch of the tenth Spalding Guardian Christmas Foodbank Appeal. Photo by Chris Lowndes.
Irene and Keith Davies, of Agapecare Foodbank Spalding, with volunteers for the launch of the tenth Spalding Guardian Christmas Foodbank Appeal. Photo by Chris Lowndes.

But volunteers at foodbanks in Spalding, Sutton Bridge, Long Sutton, Holbeach, Gosberton, Crowland are now seeing a rising number of individuals and families saying: "I never thought I'd be in this position" because of COVID-19

Irene Davies, coordinator of Agapecare Foodbank Spalding, based at The Lighthouse Church in Haverfield Road, said: "There's been an increase in the number of people coming to us who are either homeless, semi-homeless or vulnerable in various ways.

"I've not seen people quite as desperate as this before, with such desperation on their faces and in their voices when asking us: 'What do we do?'

The Spalding Guardian is launching its tenth annual Christmas Foodbank Appeal. (42984525)
The Spalding Guardian is launching its tenth annual Christmas Foodbank Appeal. (42984525)

"So we've opened a larder system where people can come once a week and choose from what is available on that day, especially fresh vegetables, yoghurts, bread and cakes.

"We're having more than 40 people a week coming in and that's in addition to our regular foodbank parcel system."

The need for donations, such as tinned fruit, tinned meat, fruit juice, pasta sauce, mince pies and selection boxes, is shown by recent figures from UK foodbank charity, The Trussell Trust.

According to a report published in September, foodbanks could see a 61 rise in demand this winter, which equates to another 846,000 food parcels being given out between October and December this year.

Irene said: "We've been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have made such an effort over the COVID-19 season.

"Businesses have also supported us by donating fruit and vegetables, while we've had quite a few schools and churches that have done their best with donations from their harvest festivals.

"That's why we can keep going and we're just so grateful for the support."

. Donations can be taken to Sainsbury's in Spalding, Morrisons in Pinchbeck, churches across South Holland and the Lincolnshire Free Press/Spalding Guardian office at 4 Francis Street, Spalding, where you should knock the door and someone will collect your items.



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