CHAIRMAN of Westbury Area Network (WAN), Ian Cooper, has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the kindness and generosity of organisations and individuals within the town and surrounding villages for their donations of food to help others.
“Harvest festival donations from churches and schools, continued support from our supermarkets Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons, alongside individuals dropping off donations at Westbury Community Project (WCP) for the food bank, have been truly amazing,” said Ian.
“Members of the community are also doing their bit to reduce the carbon footprint by taking produce destined for landfill from the community fridge, which is run each Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning at the WCP, found on Eden Vale Road, BA13 3NY.
“There has been an increase in the number of requests for food bank support in recent weeks and it is anticipated this increase will continue, possibly due to changes in arrangements for benefit payments and the ending of furlough support. Volunteers and young people engaging in work experience are working with enthusiasm and good humour to prepare food boxes for people to collect or to deliver, if recipients are unable to collect themselves.
“WAN volunteers will also be helping to deliver Christmas parcels and food boxes in the run up to Christmas and would appreciate help from anyone who is able to give a couple of hours helping with delivery within the town and villages during this extra busy time. This will mainly be on Christmas Eve.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, whether around Christmas or more generally, or anyone who requires food bank support should contact WAN on 07780 072619 or westburyareanetwork@gmail.com
WAN are also encouraging people to give differently this year, with the introduction of the ‘reverse advent calendar’, whereby people give instead of receiving each day, leading up to Christmas.
“If you would like to donate in the run up to Christmas, why not do it by using a Reverse Advent Calendar?”
Residents are encouraged to download the reverse calendar template from the WAN Facebook page here: www.facebook. com/WestburyAreaNetwork
Physical copies are also available from Crosspoint in town, the WCP, the library and the Laverton.
Drop Off Points:
• All Saints Church is open every day from 09.00 until 17.00 and when there are services.
• Westbury Community Project is open Monday – Friday, 08.30-10.30 and 14.30-16.30
• Crosspoint is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 14.30-17.00, and Saturdays 10.00-12.30
