ANDOVER Food Bank fed 1,708 people last year including 581 children – an increase of 42 per cent on 2007. The main reason for referrals continues to be financial with the highest being benefit delay on 35 per cent, up from 33 per cent in 2007. Requests for help because of debt and low income have also increased but those because of homelessness have decreased. The largest number of referrals comes from the Andover Crisis and Support Centre. A total of 16,361kg of food was donated during 2008, up 40 per cent on 2007 but the food bank distributed 50 per cent more food than in 2006.

Collections outside supermarkets provided 25 per cent of this food, well ahead of the 16 per cent provided in 2007.

Harvest festivals provided an additional source to add to the generous donations from churches, groups and businesses. On November 25, 255.72kg of produce was given by Tesco shoppers together with £50.61. At Asda, on December 13, customers gave 314.8kg of food and £37.45.

In December the food bank worked with the local community to collect and distribute 246 filled Christmas gift boxes to local children who might otherwise not have received Christmas presents. Spokeswoman Annie Mihell said: “Angie Moon at Citizens Advice thanked us for the boxes – ‘much appreciated by parents and enjoyed by the children who receive them’ – and Lorena Burlison at the Young Carers said ‘these gifts will certainly make a difference’.”