People are being urged to do what they can to ensure no child goes hungry this Christmas by donating to Bath Foodbank.
Metro Mayor during his visit to Bath Foodbank | Photo © WECA
With the cost of living taking a bite out of families’ Christmas budgets, foodbanks across the country are bracing for their worst winter yet.
More than 2,200 people are likely to need the support of Bath Foodbank between December and February, a third of which are expected to be children, according to the Genesis Trust.
This will mean around 1,100 food parcels need to be distributed, while, nationwide, 600,000 people are expected to use foodbanks during the winter months.
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris says he is hoping to ride a tide of festive goodwill and boost foodbanks’ stocks in the run-up to Christmas.
It comes as Bath Foodbank has revealed its Christmas shopping list to help feed the growing number of people in the city struggling to make ends meet.
Christmas puddings, mince pies and chocolate boxes are just some of the festive treats people are being asked to donate, alongside other urgently needed items including tinned tomatoes.
Charities like Bath Foodbank need food supplies all year round, Mayor Norris added, saying that donations beyond Christmas, especially in January and February, when foodbanks typically receive fewer items, are crucial too.
Dan Norris said: “Thank you to everyone working so hard this Christmas at foodbanks up and down the West of England, and to all those donating food.
“Foodbanks are not the answer in the long term, but with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, they need our support more than ever.
“Families up and down Bath and NE Somerset are grappling with ever rising costs – including keeping themselves and their loved ones warm. But hunger shouldn’t be part of this struggle.
“I urge residents to give what they can this festive season.”
