by Jack Butler (Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer)
An Oswestry based food bank has given its thanks to the community for their generosity over the past year.
The Oswestry and Borders Foodbank has been inundated with donations from residents and businesses in Oswestry and its surrounding areas, meaning this year they have been able to distribute more than 180 Christmas hampers.
Hampers have included food, books and toys, and have been distributed to families in the community that need them most.
The food bank had 26 responses from their support agencies, referring people who may benefit from receiving a hamper this Christmas.
Project manager Liz Jermy said she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.
She said: “the community response this year has been absolutely fantastic.”
“We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of the community and businesses that have helped to put together the hampers.”
“We have given out more than 1000 kg of hampers, including food and gifts.”
“We are seeing an increase in the number of people in need, so we wouldn’t be able to do it without the donations people make – we give a huge thanks to them”.
“I would like to give thanks to Esso garage Mile End, Shell garage Salop Road, Books Bookshop, Practice Plan, Honeysuckle, BT, Santander, TSB, the X-Ray department at the Orthopaedic Hospital, New Look, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and also to AICO who provided extra volunteers and donated food.”
“People have really pulled out all the stops in providing so many gifts, foods and toiletries to help vulnerable people.”
“We are extremely thankful to all those people thinking of others.”
“I would also like to thank the volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help get the hampers ready.”
“The hampers took four hours to pack.”
“They have so much passion and compassion to help those who need it – they’re fantastic.”
This year the hampers have helped 442 people, including 227 children.
Open since 2011 the food bank has 49 volunteers, and last year gave out more than 25,000 kg of food.