DURING the collection for Chepstow Foodbank earlier this month, the people of Chepstow donated enough food for an incredible 2,452 meals.

The collection took place between 1st and 3rd December 2016 at Tescos, as part of the ninth Neighbourhood Food Collection drive.

Sarah Coleman Foodbank Manager, said: “The people of Chepstow are always so generous and this Christmas Collection was no different. We met some wonderful people, many who gave very generously. One young couple gave a whole basketful of food and three young teenagers each donated a tin of food using their pocket money. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave to make a difference to other people.”

For many people referred to a foodbank after being hit by something unavoidable like illness or redundancy, emergency food is just the first step.

Foodbanks also help people access other services and support which can help get their lives back on track, so the potential impact of a food donation cannot be underestimated.

During the collection, customers were asked to donate non-perishable food items such as long-life milk, tinned vegetables, tinned meat and Christmas treats. 17 volunteers from the foodbank joined with Tesco staff in store to collect donations from kind-hearted customers. Tesco then topped up all donations by 20 per cent.

Rhodri Evans, Communications Manager for Wales at Tesco said: “We’re thrilled with the huge number of food donations we’ve had in Monmouthshire, resulting in such an amazing number of meals to give to those in need this Christmas and beyond. It really demonstrates the generosity of the people of Chepstow. Thank you for once again supporting us, and making this collection so successful.”