WORCESTER Foodbank chiefs have revealed Christmas was its busiest yet with a 22 per increase in demand during December.
A total of 1,150 city residents were fed by the Lowesmoor service last month which also handed out more than 600 Christmas gifts to local youngsters.
In an open letter, manager Grahame Lucas paid tribute to everyone who helped the foodbank during 2019.
Donations and help have streamed in to enable staff to support those in crisis in the city. Almost 20 tonnes of food – up more than 20 per cent compared to the same period last year – was donated in December alone.
“We have received many gifts including materials for our cafe refurbishment,” Mr Lucas said.
“Worcester people have been so generous. Acts of kindness have come in from so many places – highway engineers at Junction 6, former clients now getting their lives back on track, schools, churches, companies and many, many more. We have been truly blessed.
“Our task in 2020 will not get any easier which means we will need even more help from local people.
“Our prayer and desire for 2020 is that we can continue to help people in crisis and, with the help of the Trussell Trust, eradicate food poverty in our city and across the country so that food banks like ours are no longer needed,” he added.
Mr Lucas called for the Government to act to eradicate food poverty and confirmed he would lobby the city’s MP for his support.
