A food bank organised by Kings Cross Church (KXC) plans to hand out Christmas hampers containing wine, chocolates, and board games alongside essential items over the festive period.
Operating out of St. Saviour’s Church in Tollington since the beginning of the first lockdown, the food bank usually delivers non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, tea, coffee, and cereal each week to individuals, couples, and families. KXC says that it expects a rise in demand over the holidays.
They are preparing additional provisions for households affected by pandemic-related hardships on top of the extra costs of the Christmas period, and hope to spread some extra Christmas cheer.
Food bank manager at Kings Cross Church, Zach Gain, said: “We’re putting together hampers at the moment for all of our recipients. Because it will be a one-off, we’re getting in some really nice fresh food, and for families, chocolate, board games, a pack of vino, […] and Christmas cards. Within that, we’ll also give them a few week’s worth of supplies, […] so that they don’t need to worry at all over Christmas about getting food.”
He continued: “I’d rather be prepared for a big increase of about 30% than not prepared for it. Pre-covid, food-bank usage does rise over winter because of the expenses of energy bills – also you do have people spending more around Christmas.”
Established at the beginning of the first lockdown, the KXC food bank has 36 volunteers in total – 19 of which deliver the food packages by bike – and is currently assisting 34 households.
Recent analysis released by Trussell Trust forecasted a 60% increase in food parcels needed across the UK from October to December this year, with six parcels given out every minute.
Gain and his team at KXC seem confident in the help available in the community during this time. “There’ll be plenty of services running around Islington for people who really do need an extra service”, he said. “We have enough funding, food and volunteers to not hold back with generosity.”
