FOODBANKS across Monmouthshire are calling for support as they enter their busiest time of year.

Every year foodbanks see a rise in users as winter comes, especially around the Christmas period, this rise unfortunately includes the likes of families and children.

Chepstow Foodbank is one of those which which faces an increase, serving hundreds of people.

Sarah Coleman, project manager at Chepstow Foodbank, said: “The Chepstow Foodbank sees an increase in the number of people it feeds from November to February where people can be faced with the choice of heating their homes or eating.

“During December 2016 the foodbank provided 213 people with emergency food, 85 were children.”

According to Sarah Coleman the main reasons people are forced to turn to foodbanks is because of low income and benefit changes and delays However, 15 per cent of the people they saw were in work.

She said: “Low income, which refers to anyone in work or on benefits struggling to get by on their income, suggests certain pay and benefit levels are not protecting people from falling into

crisis.

“This could be people in work, or people on benefits for whom a small crisis, for example boiler breaking down or having to buy school uniform, can be enough to mean that they cannot afford food.”

It is a similar story at Caldicot Foodbank which also helps a concerning amount of people during December.

Last year they fed more than 300 people, more than a third of their annual total, with children accounting for nearly 50 per cent of this.

Commenting on this year’s appeal, foodbank chairman David Flint, said: “Last year we found a lot of single parents struggling with debt as they tried to ensure their children wouldn’t miss out.

“What we were able to provide them, thanks to the generosity of local people, were a good selection of Christmas items. Things that would ensure our clients are able to enjoy a Happy Christmas.

“In addition to food items we’re buying the children some games and books, and are attempting to provide each adult personal items like hand cream and aftershave, these being in addition to our usual food parcel.”

The Caldicot Foodbank has issued an appeal for seasonal items of food. Typical Christmas items being sought include tins of fruit, jelly, christmas puddings and mince pies.

While Chepstow Foodbank is stocked with Christmas items, donations of toiletries and household items are welcome as these items can make a big difference to people who face food poverty and will remain important during the winter months.

The generosity of the community has already been demonstrated, on Saturday 2nd December the Chepstow Round Table (right) completed a trolley dash at Tesco in Chepstow. They were able to donate three full trolleys worth of supplies.

Chepstow Bookshop has held a collection giving customers the opportunity to buy an additional book for the foodbank and Monmouthshire Housing Association has donated advent calendars.

Further donations to the foodbank can be made at Chepstow Tesco, or at any local church, the foodbank distribution centres or at Chepstow Community Hub.

Caldicot Foodbank Collection points may be found in local churches, local supermarkets (ASDA, the Co-op, and Waitrose), Caldicot Library, and Caldicot Town Council Offices in Sandy Lane.

In addition, the Caldicot Foodbank will, thanks to the congregation of the Church of St Stephen and St Teilo in Caerwent, be able to invite clients to a free Christmas lunch on Christmas day.

The meal will be held at 1pm on Sunday 25th December in Caerwent Village Hall.

Monmouth Foodbank, which is run by the Trussell Trust (which also runs Chepstow Foodbank), is also taking donations. These can be made at Waitrose Monmouth, Monnow Street or Monmouth Baptist Church Fridays between 10am and 12pm.