FAIR Frome’s food bank has received a £500 donation from local housing association Aster Group.
The donation is part of a £4,000 donation to eight food banks across the south and southwest of England for a second year in a row.
A spokesperson from Fair Frome said, “For many people in Frome the past year has been an extremely difficult one. The pandemic isn’t over with many people with acute health and financial needs continuing to feel anxious, isolated and struggling to feed themselves and their families. Over 40% of our food bank users are in work but with high local prices and low wages they are unable to make ends meet.
“Here at Fair Frome, we have continually kept our doors open and as well as providing practical support, we have also provided emotional support to those who come to our doors in crisis.
“Over the past year we have provided food parcels to 306 individuals, 140 couples and 401 families. We’ve also collected 48,000kgs of food and distributed it through our food bank and local schools, provided free white goods, household items, laptops and so much more for many in crisis.”
Aster Group regional director, Darren Brazil, said, “Due to the ongoing pandemic, food banks continue to provide essential support for many people struggling financially, with the impact of COVID-19 and the cost of living pressures driving demand even further.
“Thank you to all the teams, volunteers and donators that run and support food banks in our communities, their work is more important now than ever. Food banks provide a vital service to people who find themselves in some really challenging situations and we’re proud to continue to support them in this way.
“Aster has supported the work of food banks for several years. Before offices were temporality closed due to the pandemic, its offices were used as food collection points. Although its colleagues have continued to support food banks by donating through supermarkets, these financial donations are also much needed.”
