AN appeal for more donations has come from Okehampton Foodbank as organisers expect a busy period over Christmas and the New Year.

Every Friday morning, volunteers at Okehampton Baptist Church give out food parcels to families and people in need.

Over the past few months, the average number of food parcels being given out by the foodbank was around ten, but during November that number doubled.

The foodbank weighs the donations received and outgoing food parcels in order to keep a check on supply and demand — 1,802 kilograms of food donations were received throughout November, but the foodbank gave out 1,994 kilograms.

The increase in demand has been sustained throughout December, with families feeling an additional financial strain in the run up to Christmas.

In the past few months, the organisation has spent more than £4,000 from its own reserves to top up the food stores.

The Rev Barry Walton, who helps to run the foodbank, said: 'Things with the foodbank were very much as they were throughout November. We are still averaging around 20 parcels a week, but this is perhaps not quite as many as we expected at the moment.

'However, as with anything, you never know what is going to be around the next corner. On the final Friday before Christmas, we could be very busy, with families needing extra food over the Christmas weekend.

'Over the New Year as well, people may be struggling financially to pay for Christmas and need our help.'

The foodbank's stores are faring well at the moment, following an appeal by the Good Morning Devon show on BBC Radio Devon.

Mr Walton said: 'The appeal on television and radio, as well as the article in the Times, helped to once again raise the profile of the foodbank, which is really very important.

'We have had an excellent response to that appeal, with food and monetary donations increasing. It helps to wake the public up, remind them of the good work being done for local people at the foodbank, and they show their ongoing support, which is much appreciated.

'We need to keep that going, and encourage people to embrace the festive spirit and give generously.

'Anything, however big or small, will be gratefully received and help out a local family or person this Christmas.'

The foodbank was set up by Okehampton Baptist Church in October 2008, and has helped many families through troubled times.

It is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks across the UK. Last year, the foodbank network fed more than 60,000 people.

In February, following the sudden loss of jobs in the area. 134 food parcels were given out for 353 people. The need for parcels has been on a downward trend since that peak, until November.

Demand at the foodbank could also increase in the new year due to the imminent closure of Kerry Ingredients — 90 jobs will be lost following the decision by owners to move production to the company's Tenbury Wells plant in Worcestershire.

Gifts of food can be delivered to Okehampton Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or to OK Leisure on Fore Street during shop opening hours.

Foodstuffs ideal for donation include tinned goods, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, corned beef, pasta and pasta sauce. Gifts of money, which will pay for much needed food, can be sent to Okehampton Baptist Church c/o the Rev B L Walton, 18 Limehayes Road, Okehampton, EX20 1NX. Cheques should be made payable to 'Okehampton Baptist Church — Foodbank'. Okehampton Foodbank is there to help anyone in genuine need.

Visit the Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or call the emergency freephone on 0800 978 8563.