Eynsham Food Bank is launching its annual Christmas appeal to provide festive hampers to people struggling with the cost of living.
Appeal organiser Laura Stringer, who has worked alongside the foodbank since it was first launched in 2020 in response to Covid, is trying to raise funds to give local households a little extra help at Christmas time.
The foodbank, based in Eynsham Baptist Church, supports around 50 households in Eynsham and the surrounding villages - a total of 128 people including 66 children, 26 under the age of five.
Weekly food parcels are co-ordinated by Bob and Pam Thiele and their team of volunteers - at a cost of about £500 each week.
Ms Stringer said: "For the past two years local councillor Andy Goodwin and helpers from Eynsham Heroes and Eynsham Rotary have given each of the households a box of Christmas treats to help see them through the festive season.
"The hamper also contains Amazon gift cards, and a wad of "Eynsham Vouchers" to be exchanged for goods and services at retailers, pubs, and restaurants in our village - including Golsby Butchers, The Bayleaf, Eynsham Cellars, The Market Garden, The Queen's Head, Jolly Sportsman, The Swan, Ready Steady Spice, The Red Lion, Smarts, Evenlode DIY, Cornucopia Cooks, Jessie's Art Shed, The Curiosity Box and Heart of Eynsham Barber."
She added: "We know that things are challenging for everyone this year, but we need to raise around £4,000 again this year to ensure we can continue to make Christmas a little easier for people who find the festive season particularly hard.
"My hope is that everyone has a chance to celebrate with friends and family."
The foodbank is also looking for volunteers to help with buying, packing, wrapping or "stuffing" in early December.
So far they have raised £1,100 of their goal.
Any excess funds raised will go towards funding weekly food parcels in 2023.
Ms Stringer said: "We anticipate demand will increase over the winter months."
There are food donation points where you can add festive treats in the Co-op or The Market Garden before December 5.
Online donations are welcomed at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eynsham-foodbank-christmas-appeal-2022
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
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