All donations are very welcome but by adding just one extra item to their shopping for each of the 24 days the food bank can ensure those less fortunate benefit from this unique way of celebrating the season of goodwill.
Rachel Laurenson, EVBFB manager, said: “At Christmas we double up on the food parcels as we are closed for the holiday but we still really need basic things as well Christmas items.
“As well as the staple food parcel we do a special Christmas bag and all the families receive gifts for the children.”
The staples needed include tinned meat and tinned vegetables, coffee and sugar as well as personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant for men and women and washing pods.
She says they very often have enough pasta to last around a year so its passed on to other food banks to make sure it’s used.
"You can check what’s needed each week on the Facebook page or call the EVBFB on 01773 535255.”
On the special Christmas food bank shopping list are:
- Boxes of Christmas crackers
- Boxes of biscuits
- Mince pies
- Instant mash
- Long life milk
- Sponge puddings
- Tinned meat and fish
- Trifle mixes
- Angel delight
- Cuppa soup
- Packets of custard
- Pickles and condiments
A food parcel typically includes a range of staples including bread, tea, coffee, sugar, cereal, rice or pasta, tinned soups, beans and tinned vegetables.
It also contain personal items including toilet rolls and other hygiene items.
Donations for Christmas are needed by December 16 so that any shortfall can be sourced, using donation monies, before the Christmas food ban on December 20.
The food bank operates on Fridays between 9.30am and 12noon.
Each week volunteers hand out between 30 and 50 food parcels to those registered on the scheme.
To apply to be a volunteer, visit the bureau on a Friday and complete a simple form.
To register for the food bank, customers need to have a simple disposable income review carried out by the local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Emergency food parcels are also possible in extreme emergencies on a one-off basis.