WREXHAM'S foodbank has distributed three-day food parcels and toiletries to more than 800 people in crisis in the past three weeks alone.

This brings the total for Wrexham Foodbank in 2021 to more than 7,000.

Referrals came from frontline professionals such as Housing Officers, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Probation services, substance misuse charities, Community Mental Health Team, Caia Park Partnership, Job Centre, Remploy, Flying Start, Health Visitors, Community Agents, council departments, family charities and schools; due to situations such as low income, benefit delays, debt, sickness and unexpected large bills.

The charity has also given out socks, gloves, blankets, hot water bottles and fuel vouchers to help people struggling during the winter months.

What's more, food has been shared through partner organisations such as the Red Cross, Family Friends, Home Start, Adferiad, Rotary, Probation Services and Wrexham Africa Community.

During the school holidays the Foodbank will be providing food at The Venture and Gwenfro Valley, for children attending the playschemes.

The Foodbank will be closed from December 23rd until January 4th so that the 100 volunteers can take a well deserved break.

Emergency food is available from several other organisations and groups over this period.

Sally Ellinson, Project Manager at Wrexham Foodbank, said, “We are so grateful to the community of Wrexham for all the generous donations that have come in recently that enabled us to provide food, toiletries and nappies to those who need it.

"However, we do strongly believe that giving out food is not actually the answer to food poverty, which is why as a Trussell Trust Foodbank we work closely with local support organisations and collect data from referrals to inform evidence-based campaigns for structural and policy changes at government level so that no-one is forced to live in poverty.

"Everyone should have the dignity of being able to buy their own food rather than relying on a Foodbank.

"Visitors to our centres receive a warm welcome and signposting to further support wherever possible, including our Community Monday Advice service offering free budgeting and debt advice”.

To keep up to date with Wrexham Foodbank take a look at the website www.wrexham.foodbank.org.uk and or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.