Salisbury Foodbank to deliver over 200 food boxes to families this summer
They want to support those who won't have help in the school holidays
In the summer holidays Salisbury Foodbank are delivering food packs to help families who struggle to cope without the support of school lunches.
Over 200 special food boxes will be handed out, to 100 hundred families, in the last week of July and early August.
The Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network, have asked local schools to nominate families in South Wiltshire who need it most.
Each will receive two boxes and the contents should do much to ease the burden over a period without their children being fed in school.
It is estimated that the initiative will support up to 239 children and 139 adults. In total these boxes contain over 4 metric tonnes of food supplies.
The Summer food boxes are just one of the Salisbury Foodbank's regular, extra support initiatives.
Over the last year 100 special boxes were distributed at Easter and up to 300 at Christmas. There are food basics, plus some elements of festive cheer!
Salisbury Foodbank Manager - Maria Stevenson added "This is another great example of communities looking out for one another, In a time when schools are overwhelmed with restrictions they still had time to identify families whom may need extra support this summer. We offer our support beyond free school meals - pupil premium families, unlike many of the local government schemes. There is a black hole in which many working families fall where no benefit support is offered. Once again, this project could not be delivered without the support of our donors and ongoing support of local business "A World of Furniture" who deliver our holiday hamper projects 3 times a year. We are blessed to have such wonderful supporters."
Chairman of the Foodbank's Trustees John Pitt-Brooke added "At the Foodbank we like to be constantly aware of particular areas of changing need, and this initiative is a way of responding to particular issues which arise during the summer holiday. As circumstances change once again with Covid restrictions being wound down and possible reductions in benefits, we will be working to identify and meet need wherever it arises in Salisbury. We can only do this because of the continuing generosity of the people of Salisbury, and we are so grateful"