A BUSY Easter period for the Okehampton Foodbank has led to a new appeal for donations to replenish its food stores.

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

The foodbank was handing out around 20 parcels a week during November and December as demand doubled during the festive period.

The numbers steadily dropped off, following Christmas until recently, with around 20 food parcels handed out on Friday March 30.

The Rev Barry Walton, who helps to run the foodbank, said: 'Things have become busy again. We were closed for Good Friday, but the week before Easter we handed out around 20 parcels.

'While we were not handing out parcels on Good Friday, we have also had a number of people ringing the emergency line throughout the week, and we have been giving them parcels too. Prior to that, we had been having a quiet period.'

In 2011, the organisation had to spend more than £4,000 from its own reserves to top up the food stores. The spending has continued to keep providing food for those who need it most. One recent order of food to top up the stores cost almost £900.

Mr Walton did not necessarily attribute the rise in need for food parcels to the closure of Kerry Ingredients in March: 'As far as we know, none of the people who have needed food parcels are from Kerrys. Though it is possible that the increase is due to that, we don't know.

'We would say though that we are open to absolutely anyone, including those affected by the redundancies at Kerry Ingredients, or anyone struggling to find work.

'We support those struggling to make ends meet, and hope that those in genuine need will come forward and ask for our help.'

During this busy period, the organisation has benefitted from a donation from the woman who runs the Sampford Courtenay village shop, who donated the stock to the foodbank. 'It is a timely boost for our stores. We are incredibly grateful to her for that kind donation.

'It is important that we remind people that the foodbank needs their support to keep going, and help those living in the area who are having a hard time.'

The foodbank was set up by Okehampton Baptist Church in 2008. It is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks across the UK.

In February 2011, the foodbank saw a surge in demand. following the series of redundancies in the town. In one month, 134 food parcels were given out for 353 people. The need for parcels has been on a downward trend but demand is still high.

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.