Supporting families in need across the New Forest this Christmas

19 Dec

The dedicated team at the New Forest Basics Bank have once again been pulling out all the stops to ensure that 600+ families and individuals across the New Forest have a reason to smile this Christmas.

The team have been busy packing Christmas parcels which will go out to those in need across the New Forest. Referrals to receive a parcel are made from different agencies from across the region, such as schools, housing agencies and Church groups, to ensure they get to the heart of the communities that need them. So far, sponsors of the Christmas parcels include Sea Talk Systems, Pennyfarthing Homes and Gill Instruments.

This is on top of the 100+ reverse advent calendar boxes generously donated by schools, businesses, and members of the public. Reverse advent calendar boxes are made up of Christmas items – such as Christmas puds, crackers and mince pies - collected in November, ready to be delivered in December. These will go out to Basics Bank clients alongside their weekly food parcels.

Oliver Stanley, Chairman, New Forest Basics Bank said: “We fundraise specifically for the Christmas parcels over and above the day-to-day running costs to ensure we have the resources to deliver this added extra. There are so many additional reasons why families could be struggling this year with the rising cost of living. We don’t want people to have to choose between heating their houses or having some treats over Christmas – as a community, we must and have come together to give them a reason to smile in the festive season.”

Busy all year round, the New Forest Basics Bank delivers three distinct services: the food parcels, 90 – 100 of which are delivered and collected each week. Secondly the three weekly FareShare Larders which take place in Ashley, New Milton, Pennington and Bransgore and operate on a membership basis aimed at helping people make their money go further by reducing shopping bills. Thirdly the Food Rescue Kitchen which collects produce from local supermarkets that would otherwise go into landfill and is then made available to those in need within the community.

If you or a member of your community is in crisis and in need of food, please ask for a referral from one of the many agencies the Basics Bank works alongside including Citizens Advice New Forest, Social Services, medical centres, schools, or church groups. Or simply get in touch directly to discuss a way forward on 01590 610008.