AS the festive season approaches, Tavistock Foodbank is appealing for food donations to increase winter stock to help families in crisis.

Tavistock Foodbank aims to end poverty and hunger in the UK through the provision of practical help to those in need. Part of the Trussell Trust’s UK-wide foodbank network, the charity provides a three-day supply of emergency food to those experiencing crises in the PL19/PL20 areas.

The charity is appealing for Christmas donations from members of the community as well as supermarkets, churches, schools and local businesses. Food must be non-perishable and have a long shelf-life.

Tavistock Foodbank chairman Valerie O’Neill said: ‘We help people who have difficulty feeding themselves or their families. The reasons for this vary, ranging from a delay in benefits, becoming unemployed or ill, to simply not being able to make money stretch until pay day.

‘Whatever the reason, we want to help all in need. The foodbank can help meet short-term needs by giving up to three vouchers to those in crisis.’

Christmas donations need to be made by Friday, December 9. The foodbank has asked people to not donate mince pies as the charity is always overrun with these.

The foodbank is also keen to welcome more people onto its team of over 20 volunteers, who last year weighed, labelled and distributed over eight tonnes of food donations.

For more information about how you can help, contact 07941 436149 or visit the foodbank, which operates every Friday, between 10am and 2pm from the basement of The United Reformed Church, Russell Street, Tavistock.

Readers wishing to receive a food parcel should request a food voucher from one of the following Tavistock referring agencies and then take it to the foodbank at The United Reformed Church.

The referring agencies include Citizen’s Advice Bureau, DATA (Debt Advice Tavistock), Devon Drug Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Salvation Army, Tavistock Area Children’s Centre, TASS, West Devon Borough Council Housing, West Devon Mental Health Team, Tavistock Community Primary School, Devon and Cornwall Care Services, Devon Domestic Abuse Services and Devon and Cornwall Housing.