Demand for food and essentials at Newark Foodbank doubled in the run-up to Christmas.

The foodbank, based at Barnbygate Methodist Church, is part of a nationwide network supported by The Trussell Trust.

It provides three days of emergency food to those who find themselves in crisis.

Lesley Marshall, general manager of Newark Foodbank, said the service had given out hundreds of nutritionally-balanced meals over the festive period ­— many of them to children.

She said: “Not only did we have a record amount of food and essentials donated, sorted and packed in our warehouse, we had approximately twice as many people presenting vouchers from the second week of December as we do normally in the year.

“Many of these were families and we had plenty of Christmas treats to give the children.”

The foodbank does not yet have exact figures for how many people it helped over Christmas, but said it was busier than normal.

Between April, 2016, and March, 2017, the service provided food parcels to about 35 people a week.

It gave out 15 to 20 vouchers a week ­— with one voucher providing food for a single person or a family of up to five.

The service had its biggest week of donations on record in December as it saw demand increase in the run-up to Christmas.

A record 715kg of food and essentials were delivered in one week.

The harvest festival period and run-up to Christmas are important for the foodbank as it seeks additional supplies to cope with an increase in demand and to add extra treats to the food provided.

Colleagues provide essential supplies

Colleagues at Team Knowhow have given food and other much-needed supplies to Newark Foodbank.

After staff raised £200 thanks to a raffle organised by Sue Sweeney and Stacey Franklin, retail distribution centre manager Mike Watchman delivered the food bought with the proceeds.

Foodbank manager Lesley Marshall said: “At the foodbank we are always so grateful for all donations throughout the year.

“The foodbank depends on the amazing generosity of the people and companies of Newark and Southwell in supporting and helping to bring relief to those in crisis in Newark and the surrounding area.”

Meanwhile, Knowhow’s stock inventory team held a sponsored leg wax to raise money for Newark’s Children’s Bereavement Centre.

Dale Willis and Arron Cable were waxed by a team of volunteers and raised £165.