HUNDREDS of Frome people will have a much better Christmas – thanks to the town’s fantastic community spirit and a range of inspiring initiatives.
Christmas hampers are ready to be distributed to vulnerable and isolated residents on Christmas Day; Frome Foodbank and Fair Frome are busy distributing Christmas food parcels; the Community Fridge is re-distributing excess food; and a series of fun indoor family activity sessions, including Santa giving presents to over 170 local children, are being provided by Frome charity Purple Elephant.
Frome Town Council and Frome Renewable Energy Co-operative have also joined together to provide winter warmth packs for anyone in Frome who needs one, while the Somerset Community Foundation has raised over £100,000 with its Surviving Winter appeal.
Volunteers are in full swing preparing for the Big Christmas Get Together which for over 10 years has provided a free Christmas lunch to vulnerable and isolated residents with a chance to celebrate Christmas and enjoy a Christmas meal.
“Unfortunately this year we cannot run the big event in person,” say the organisers. “However, following on from the success of last year’s hampers, this year we will again provide people with a Christmas lunch hamper.
“The hampers can be collected from three locations on Christmas Day – Trinity Church Hall, Frome Cricket Club and Christ Church School, between 11am-1pm, with the option for individuals and families to spend some time in each venue celebrating Christmas with some festive refreshments and good company.
“With Christmas being a difficult time for so many, we aim to bring some festive cheer, needed company and great food to our town. With the impact of Covid-19 and the current challenges continuing to affect people, Christmas will be especially difficult for many and we hope our Big Christmas Get Together will help make Christmas 2021 a special day for many.
“Last year’s alternative Big Christmas Get Together made a big difference to the people of Frome and this year, we want to provide everyone we possibly can with a Christmas ham- per, so if you are a community organisation and you know someone who would like company and lunch on Christmas Day, please get in touch and let us know about them.”
Fair Frome is also preparing for a busy time in the run up to Christmas and is appealing for donations for its food bank.
“This year has been incredibly difficult for so many people and here at Fair Frome our food bank has been at the centre of our community’s response,” says Bob Ashford, chair of Fair Frome. “This year as well as running the food bank, we are also providing bags of extra food and festive treats for families through our school referral scheme. Fair Frome are also helping with donations for The Frome Big Christmas Get Together.
“We are looking for general donations for our extra Christmas food parcels, alongside any Christmas food such as mince pies, individual Christmas puddings and cakes, chocolate, savoury treats, festive crisps, and Christmas goodies. All donations can be placed in our usual supermarket and local shop collection points or dropped off to us at Fair Frome. Or you can donate to our Christmas fund by texting FROMECHRISTMAS fol- lowed by your donation amount to 70460.”
The team at the Frome Community Fridge, which distributes surplus food, has also launched a Christmas appeal, asking residents to share their ‘seasonal excess’ over the Christmas period.
The team say, “If you buy too many mince pies or have a surplus of sprouts, you can support the Community Fridge over the festive holidays by donating any unopened food items or fresh items like fruit and vegetables.”
