STAFF and volunteers at Tavistock Library opened their doors over the festive period with a pop-up soup kitchen.

Residents of Tavistock headed to the library on December 20 where hot soup and bread were served by library staff and volunteers of the Tavistock Scrap Store.

Soup ingredients, bread and butter were donated for the cause by volunteers and local businesses, including Friends of Tavistock Library, Continental Fruit of Tavistock and Tappercation of Okehampton.

Three delicious flavoured soups were handmade by Linda Hitchcock, with around 180 servings ready to serve by 10am. Almost 100 people made use of the soup kitchen and the library services available.

Aaron Wilkins, Tavistock Library supervisor, said: ‘We were overwhelmed with the generosity we received in helping us get our pop up soup kitchen off the ground. It’s been great to see how many diverse groups of people have benefited from a hot meal and a friendly chat.

‘We’re committed to helping people in our community and we didn’t want anyone to feel alone at Christmas. We offered a warm and welcoming space to whoever needed it and have a number of services available through the library to help people whatever their circumstance or situation. I’d like to express my thanks to Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) who have helped spread the word about our soup kitchen. They do a fantastic job of supporting the people Tavistock.’

The Hair Lounge of Tavistock also offered free haircuts and beard tidies as part of the day’s event.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs Devon and Torbay’s libraries is committed to helping local community projects. Exeter Library has been collecting warm clothing for the homeless and those who are in need this winter. Garments have been donated by the public and library staff and are free to take away from the city centre library.

Libraries across the county are also drop off points for the Red Box Project — a community-based, not-for-profit initiative, which aims to support young people throughout their periods by providing red boxes filled with free period products to local schools.

Health and well-being is one of Libraries Unlimited core purposes and the month of January sees the launch of its Active Life Active Mind campaign. Over 250 events are being held at 54 libraries, including, mindfulness mediation, Pilates, walking groups, Star Wars yoga for children, Bollywood dance classes and watercolour painting classes.

For more information visit www.devonlibraries.org.uk