Thanks given over Advent food bank response

An appeal run by Lincolnshire Co-op across its stores, including those in Billinghay, Heckington, Metheringham, Navenby, and Sleaford, has led to an estimated 1,350kg of donations being distributed between 40 community larders and food banks.
Lincolnshire Co-op¬"s Food Bank Advent Calendar Campaign.

Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for Lincolnshire Co-op
Date: November 24, 2020 EMN-210129-143237001Lincolnshire Co-op¬"s Food Bank Advent Calendar Campaign.

Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for Lincolnshire Co-op
Date: November 24, 2020 EMN-210129-143237001
Lincolnshire Co-op¬"s Food Bank Advent Calendar Campaign. Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for Lincolnshire Co-op Date: November 24, 2020 EMN-210129-143237001

An appeal run by Lincolnshire Co-op across its stores, including those in Billinghay, Heckington, Metheringham, Navenby, and Sleaford, has led to an estimated 1,350kg of donations being distributed between 40 community larders and food banks.

Throughout December, Lincolnshire Co-op collected essential items to support those in need.

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The society did this by reversing the traditional Advent calendar format, instead, suggesting one item each day that shoppers could drop in collection bins in their local outlets. Items ranged from tinned goods to toiletries and cleaning products.

Alongside this, shoppers and colleagues donated £16,675 of their Dividend and cash to the same cause.

Food banks typically experience an increase in demand over the festive season, but this year the need for community support was unprecedented, Lincolnshire Co-op said.

Jenni Harding, Newark Food Bank’s public relations and fundraising co-ordinator said the food bank saw its highest ever demand in 2020, but also experienced the most donations it had ever received over the festive period.

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She said: “Donations are vital to us – if the local community didn’t support us, we wouldn’t be able to do our job and help others.

“We understand that Christmas is a busy and expensive time for everyone, so thank you so much to those who took the time to donate to the Food Bank Advent Calendar campaign.”

Donations continued to arrive at food banks throughout January, as those participating from home, work, or school were encouraged to collect their donations over the month and take them to food banks, community larders, or drop-off points at the end of the Advent calendar campaign.

Sam Turner, community manager at Lincolnshire Co-op said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to our Food Bank Advent Calendar campaign.

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“Thanks to the generosity of our shoppers, members, and colleagues, we’ve been able to support the important work of local food banks in our area and help feed families at Christmas at beyond.”

Lincolnshire Co-op Community Co-ordinator Laura Worsley is pictured collecting donations.