MALVERN Hills Food Bank wants to thank all the people whose donations helped to keep it going over the Christmas and New Year period.

Before the holiday break, the food bank, which is based at Spring Lane in Malvern Link, appealed for donations of food and other items.

And as a result, they were able to supply over 80 Christmas food parcels to needy clients.

Dot Hayes of the food bank said: "The trustees and volunteers would like to thank the Malvern Gazette for its appeal on our behalf, and to thank the many, many people who responded.

"Local individuals, groups, companies and organisations not only inundated us with staple foods, household goods and money, but also seasonal treats galore.

"The volunteers at the foodbank were overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters. Schools organised events such as a reverse advent calendar, businesses sent parcels which their staff had collected, churches provided donations from parishioners, many donated via the supermarkets, not to mention the numerous individuals who privately donated.

"Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and put in many hours at the foodbank in order to weigh, date and sort a mountain of food.

"The hugely generous response from everyone in the area allowed us to help clients who had been referred to us, and also to send out over 80 Christmas boxes There were times when it became difficult to find some of our helpers buried behind stacks of beans.

"As a result, the foodbank has not only been able to help many clients to enjoy a better Christmas, but we are now well-supplied with virtually everything that we offer our clients.

"We cannot thank everyone enough for this wonderful generosity and thoughtfulness, and for the great support shown to those in our community who are in crisis."

Clients need a voucher, supplied by a referral agency, to receive a three-day supply of food and household goods. The agencies includes Citizens Advice, Fortis Living and the children's centres in Malvern and Upton.