THE Okehampton Foodbank is this week appealing for more people to step forward as volunteers to help them through 2014.

Every Friday morning, volunteers at Okehampton Baptist Church give out food parcels to people struggling to put food on the table.

Parcels are made up in the foodbank's storage room underneath OK Leisure, aiming to provide a balanced mixture of groceries for those in need.

The organisation is particularly crying out for more volunteers to help put together food parcels, and offer any help they can.

On average, the foodbank is handing out around 18 food parcels a week to families and individuals in need.

The charity is always happy to find volunteers who can help in any way possible, including manning the foodbank's emergency phone line.

William Cornish is a foodbank volunteer who oversees the storage room.

He said: 'We need more names and phone numbers, so that when we need people to help make up parcels, we can call them for help.

'The more volunteers we've got, the easier it will be and the more people we can help.

'As far as donations go, people are incredibly generous, and the support we receive is first class.

'It never ceases to surprise me exactly how much support we get. It is truly fantastic.

'If anyone in Okehampton or the outlying area can offer a bit of time each week to help us, that would be amazing.'

Prospective volunteers can find out more by dropping into the Baptist Church from 10am to noon on a Friday, or calling foodbank chairman Dermot Searle on 07854 579038 or

e-mail djseale@ hotmail.com

As well as appealing for help from volunteers, food and monetary donations are always welcome.

Gifts of food can be delivered to Okehampton Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or to OK Leisure on Fore Street during shop opening hours.

Foodstuffs ideal for donation include tinned goods, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, corned beef, pasta and pasta sauce.

Any cheques for monetary donations should be made payable to 'Okehampton Baptist Church — Foodbank'.

Okehampton Foodbank is there to help anyone in genuine need.

If you need the foodbank's help, visit the Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or call the emergency freephone on 0800 978 8563.