THE annual Neighbourhood Food Collection will be held at the Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks from 9am to 6pm, on Thursday, November 29 and Friday 30, and on Saturday, December 1.

Figures from the Crediton Foodbank show the need for the collection is greater than ever.

The number of food parcels given out by the Foodbank between January and August of this year has doubled compared to the same period in 2017, with 297 parcels issued to 72 families encompassing more than 100 adults and 76 children.

The figure for children, whose family access the Foodbank, has risen by 66 per cent.

It is not only the numbers of people that is rising, it is also the length of time that families are having to take donations that is increasing with nearly 50 per cent taking more than three parcels and a third taking more than five!

Chris Parsons, the Crediton Foodbank Coordinator and Community Support Worker, said: "Of the current levels of usage, the current demand seems to be a consequence of low incomes for households and this will only be exacerbated by the coming colder weather and darker evenings, which increases heating and lighting costs.”

The Crediton Foodbank takes its referrals from a variety of organisations who are dealing directly with those in need of support and, for the Crediton area these are; CHAT, Citizens Advice, Crediton Library and Crediton’s doctors’ surgeries.

Chris was quick to praise the local community for their consistent support of others within the town and district that just need that little helping hand, saying: “The people of Crediton and the villages that surround us are very generous indeed.

"At the Foodbank we have a team of people who bring in donations from their local communities and churches and we’d especially like to thank local schools and churches for their Harvest Festival donations.

"This activity supplements the permanent collection points that we have at The Yellow Bookshop, The Tesco Superstore, the "Crediton Courier" and the Foodbank.”

Chris finished by saying: “Unfortunately, even with the help and generosity of those around us the need for support continues to be great with nearly 100 parcels being given out a month at the moment.”

As in previous years the collection is very much a Crediton Community event with both Crediton Lions and Crediton Rotary Clubs joining volunteers from the Crediton Foodbank, The Amber Foundation and The Turning Tides Project at the Crediton retailer’s collection point.

Andrew Drayton, the Crediton Tesco store’s Community Champion is again very keen for the collection to be a success, in light of the growth in demand.

He said: “We work closely with Crediton Foodbank throughout the year and have been aware of the increased demand for families in need in the Crediton area. "Indeed, we had to hold an ‘emergency collection’ during the summer to ensure that they had the items required to carry on with the valuable work that they do.”

He continued: “It is a sad situation that so many more families find themselves, often through no fault of their own, in a position where difficult decisions have to be made and the safety net of a food parcel, whilst not ideal, makes things a bit easier in a difficult time.

"It is understood that the average family in the UK is approximately 65 days away from requiring a Foodbank donation.

Two other local organisations will benefit from the collection, The Amber Foundation, based at Chawleigh which helps and supports homeless and unemployed young people and The Turning Tides Project now ensconced in their new Crediton base at the old Crediton Railway Tea Rooms.

These two groups are part of the Tesco Food Connection and collect food that cannot be sold from Tesco in the evening.

Andrew added: "Both organisations are local and do valuable work within their respective fields and remits, and both will also be providing volunteers to help out with the collection, sorting and distribution of the donations.”

Rebecca Fry, Fundraising Manager for The Amber Foundation, explained:“Being unemployed and homeless is a place that nobody wants to be.

"Amber plays a unique role in addressing the very complex needs of young people who have hit rock bottom.

“All of the food that our residents consume comes out of our budget so any donations are always welcome."

Another Crediton group, The Turning Tides Project, as well as helping with the collection, will be receiving donations.

The groups Marketing and Publicity Manager, Dominic Palfreman, explained: “The Turning Tides Project believes that everyone has the right to equal access to music, the arts and life.

"We intend to make this right a reality for people with ’learning disability’ or ’autism’ labels in Devon.

"The Station Tearooms are an #Inclusive environment where people can relax, volunteer, get training experience and feel welcome.

"The Turning Tides Project is a Community Interest Company; a non-profit organisation."

The collection point at Tesco will have "shopping lists" so that customers can focus on the items that are really necessary to them and the store will also have shelf "flags" for shoppers to see as they move around the aisles.