CREWE'S St Paul' Pantry foodbank says it delivered nearly 500 food parcels to households and the homeless during one of their busiest festive periods ever.

Well over 6,000kg of food was donated to the foodbank based in Hightown and that generosity enabled staff and volunteers to co-ordinate a massive operation providing help for hard-hit families and single people in the town.

After compiling figures for their work over Christmas and the holiday period St. Paul's says that during they provided over 300 parcels to households in Crewe.

On top of that, with the help of a £2,300 grant Cheshire Community Foundation, the centre also distributed 175 Christmas food parcels to single people who had recently experienced homelessness and are now in temporary accommodation or living in the community.

The food parcels included fresh food and Christmas confectionary.

Richard Holmes, Chair of Trustees at St. Paul's, said: "Christmas at St Paul' Pantry was busier than ever this year. We received vast amounts of food, weighing in at well over 6,000kg.

"Donations were received from individuals, trolleys from supermarkets and gifts from schools, churches and local businesses and community groups.

"Each family and individual we supported has their own story of hardship and misfortune.

Everything from loss of employment and income, domestic violence, separation, loneliness and isolation."

Staff worked with a number of referral partners in health, social care, education and local churches to ensure food parcels went to the point of need in struggling households.

For the project helping out those experiencing homelessness St. Paul's worked with YMCA Crewe and Emerging Futures.

"That was to target those groups so they had a sense of being invested in and that they had some different food in the run up to the festive period," added Richard, who admits he has been moved by the work of the volunteers at the foodbank during his first year as CEO at St Paul's Centre.

"Without any fanfare these individuals turn up faithfully and do whatever is required to ensure that St Paul's is there for the crisis time that so many face," he said.

"Because of Covid-19 2020 saw us giving far more food to more people and for longer. The Pandemic has stretched families practically and mentally and emotionally, adding to their already challenging lives.

"It is very clear as we look forward to the remainder of 2021 that St Paul's Pantry and foodbanks like it will be needed more than ever."

Donations of food can be made to St. Paul's Pantry from Monday to Friday (9.30am to 3.30pm).

The foodbank often posts on St' Paul's Facebook Page the types of food they are running short of.

You can find St. Paul's Centre's website here.