THERE will be hearty Christmas lunches on the table at Okehampton Foodbank and Broadwoodkelly Village Hall, thanks to a new initiative at Waitrose.

The Okehampton branch is working with the foodbank and the village hall to provide lunches for 90 people across both events. As well as monetary donations, Waitrose partners will be helping with planning and attending the events, using hours from the partner volunteering scheme while still being paid by Waitrose.

The lunches are part of a nationwide initiative supporting nearly 500 events across the country, benefitting 40,000 people. The idea is to help provide Christmas lunches for people who might otherwise be alone on Christmas Day, or for those who may not be able to afford a slap-up Christmas lunch of their own.

Waitrose sustainability and ethical sourcing manager Tina Varns said: 'It is fantastic that Waitrose branches are supporting 40,000 people in their communities over the festive period. Our partners are really excited about the events and looking forward to working with local causes to spread a little Christmas cheer across the country and make a difference.'

Okehampton Foodbank received a cheque for £1,320 from the store for the event, and will be able to host around 60 people. Funds left over after the Christmas lunch will be put back into the foodbank.

Dermot Searle, new chairman of Okehampton Foodbank, said: 'We see the same people week in and week out, and this dinner is about including them and reaching out to people who may be isolated, or need the help of the foodbank. We want to reach those who maybe aren't reachable normally.

'The offer from Waitrose to send partners to our event to prepare vegetables and help out was really excellent and much appreciated. They have given us much more than we asked for, and we appreciate the support.'

Christmas has traditionally been a busy time for the foodbank. On December 6, foodbank volunteers at Okehampton Baptist Church gave out more than 20 food parcels to people struggling to put food on the table.

The Rev Jeff Jacobson of Okehampton Baptist Church said: 'There's no rhyme or reason to it, some weeks are much busier than others. The weeks before that, we had been getting around ten people needing our help.

'Christmas can be busy, we will just see how it goes. Support like this really helps, as do donations from the public.'

Donations of food and money are always welcome during the festive period. 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. Gifts of money, which will pay for much needed food, can be sent to Okehampton Baptist Church, 18 Limehayes Road, Okehampton, EX20 1NX. Cheques should be made payable to 'Okehampton Baptist Church — Foodbank'.

Okehampton Foodbank is there to help anyone in genuine need. If you need help, visit the Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or call the emergency freephone number, 0800 978 8563. To volunteer, call Dermot Searle on 07854 579038.