Kind-hearted children aid food bank success (From Andover Advertiser)
When news happens, text AND and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Kind-hearted children aid food bank success
9:35am Thursday 17th January 2008 in Search Module By Dick Bellringer
Banking on success: Members of the 2nd Andover Beavers at Andover Food Bank with their leader Holly and Annie Mihell from the bank. NOP
DEMAND for emergency food from the Andover Food Bank continued to grow towards the end of last year with 1,133 emergency food boxes distributed to local families and individuals up to the end of December.
Over the Christmas period the food bank was able to add 42 bags of Christmas food to the regular boxes distributed.
In addition - with support from Farleigh School, St John the Baptist Primary School, Anton schools, and local business such as BP Rolls and Petty Wood and Co Ltd, on top of continuing community support - the bank was able to distribute more than 250 Christmas gift boxes to local children.
Elaine Oates at the Crisis and Support Centre said these gifts were very much appreciated and helped enormously with efforts to ensure that children and families from the local community had a really special time this Christmas'.
The new initiative of providing welcome packs has been well received and the bank has now helped eight formerly homeless people move into accommodation for the first time.
Food collections were boosted by a successful December collection outside Sainsbury's.
The food bank also enjoyed a visit from the 2nd Andover Beavers who had collected a wonderful quantity of food for distribution at Christmas.
With the start of 2008 demands have already grown caused particularly by recent benefit delays. The worsening economic conditions and growing unemployment suggest that this demand will continue to increase.
If you can help provide food or support call the food bank on 01264 362111.
