Volunteers at Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Foodbank are preparing for a busy Christmas period as they help record numbers of struggling local families.
The Foodbank team have seen an influx of demand during recent weeks from needy locals – with November being the busiest month ever since the group launched six years ago.
Nick Bashford, Chair of the Highbridge Area Foodbank, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “Sadly, use of our food bank continues to increase with November recording the largest month ever since our beginning in 2012. A total of 183 food parcels to feed 111 adults and 72 children were issued.”
“Referrals to the Foodbank are made by local agencies and vouchers are then exchanged for three days food, enough to provide three meals a day for all members of the household.”
Nick added: “Following wonderful support from the local community, our annual Burnham-On-Sea Tesco Christmas event collected 1,637 kilos of food in just three days.”
“We also continue to receive donations from local supporters, for which we are hugely grateful.”
He continued: “We would not be able to provide this service to our local community without the wonderful group of volunteers who freely give their time and energies in collecting, sorting and issuing food.”
“We are also very grateful to the Methodist Church in Burnham, St John’s and Hope Baptist in Highbridge for the continued use of their premises.”
Our photos show some of the Burnham and Highbridge Foodbank volunteers hard at work as they prepare for a busy Christmas period.
Burnham and Highbridge Foodbank opening times
Over the Christmas and New Year period, the Burnham and Highbridge Foodbank is open at:
- Saturday 22nd 10-12 at Methodist Church, Burnham
- Monday 24th 10-12 at Methodist Church, Burnham
- Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day
- Thursday 27th 9:30–12:30 Hope Baptist, Highbridge
- Saturday 29th 10-12 at Methodist Church, Burnham
- Monday 31st 10-12 at Methodist Church, Burnham
- Closed New Year’s Day
- Wednesday 2nd Jan 10-11:30 St John’s, Highbridge
- Thursday 3rd 9:30–12:30 Hope Baptist, Highbridge
- Saturday 5th 10-12 at Methodist Church, Burnham
