FOOD parcels for families supported by the West Somerset Food Cupboard (WSFC) were distributed last week to agencies and support groups in time for people to stock their cupboards and plan for Christmas Day.

WSFC team leader Sara Trigg said: “It is that time of year again when we are all getting ready for Christmas.

“We are busier than ever collecting donations in the community and packing Christmas food bags set to be distributed.

“Can I take this moment to thank you all for the wonderful support we have received this last month with all the Christmas donations.

“We are in a good place to fulfil all our orders this week and the further weeks running up to and during the Christmas period.

“It is so wonderful to see the community to come together to support others.”

Ms Trigg said she was delighted Porlock-based Miles Tea and Coffee had joined forces with the food cupboard to provide a year’s supply of tea and coffee for the emergency food bags, ‘making a sustainable social impact in the local community of West Somerset’.

She said: “We are especially proud to be partnering with such a well-loved local business, a real example of local heritage supporting local people.”

Computers4Charity had given WSFC a refurbished laptop which would help the volunteers continue their work in managing referrals and co-ordinating helpers faster, ensuring help reached families when it mattered most.

Ms Trigg said last month’s Tesco FareShare campaign had delivered big results with both food donations and with volunteering to pack bags.

She said: “The weekend was a great success with our team of volunteers helping in store and over 400 kg of food being donated by the community over four days.

“What a brilliant team effort, we cannot thank everybody enough, especially Tesco/Fareshare for hosting the event.

“We can ensure nobody will be going hungry this Christmas thanks to you.”

Other help had come from the Dunster and Porlock Community Orchard, which gave 100 bottles of apple juice as a delicious and truly local addition to WSFC Christmas food bags.

Food collections by Poundland Minehead had made a significant boost for the emergency food bags and also WSFC’s Local Pantry members.

Minehead’s Women’s Institute members also made food donations and invited WSFC representatives to attend a meeting in the Foxes Hotel to talk about the charity’s activities and work in the community.

There were also Christmas food donations from members of Minehead and District Lion’s Club and Minehead Rotary.

Ms Trigg said a Black Friday appeal saw supporters asked to help for free by registering online with easyfundraising, which has more than 8,000 retailers which will donate when somebody shops via its app at any time of year and at no extra cost.

She said: “All it takes is to sign up, use the app when you shop, and you will be helping support our work every time you buy something online.”

Ms Trigg said 30 supporters had already signed up and to date had raised £500.