The St Albans and District Foodbank has helped almost 300 people and delivered 2,475 meals since opening seven months ago.

The foodbank was set up in association with the Trussell Trust in May and most recipients have been low-income, working families who encounter a crisis, people who have been made redundant or those experiencing delays in benefits payments.

Food is donated by local churches, schools, supermarkets, organisations and individuals.

More than 30 volunteers work across the storage centre at Rothamstead Research and three distribution centres at Batford, Wheathampstead and Cell Barnes Lane and sort, date, store and pack the food ready for collection.

Since opening, 4652kg of food has been donated and 2338kg has been distributed to 275 people, including 118 children.

Each food pack is intended to provide one person with three meals a day for three days, and they are nutritionally balanced containing only non-perishable food.

Donations to the foodbank can be made at Tesco Metro in St Albans High Street, Waitrose, Harpenden, Waitrose, King Harry Lane or by calling 07787 867703 or emailing staadfoodbank@yahoo.co.uk.

The St Albans and District Foodbank is available to support anyone who feels they may need help with food supplies over the Christmas and New Year period.

Their opening hours are: Monday 22nd December CLOSED

Tuesday 23rd December 3.00pm-5.00pm Cunningham Hub, Cell Barnes Lane,

Wednesday 24th December Appointment Only

Thursday 25th December CLOSED Friday 26th December CLOSED

Monday 29th December CLOSED

Tuesday 30th December 3.00pm-5.00pm Cunningham Hub, Cell Barnes Lane,

Wednesday 31st December Appointment Only

Thursday 1st January CLOSED

Friday 2nd January 1.00pm-3.00pm Batford Children’s Centre, Holcroft Road, Harpenden,

A voucher can be obtained from: Aldwyck Housing Group, Batford Early Learning Centre, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Harpenden Health Visitors, Harpenden Money Advice Centre, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, Herts Young Homeless, St Vincent de Paul, Credit Union, St Helen’s Church, Home-Start St Albans, Open Door, St Nicholas Church, Sopwell and Verulam Children’s Centre, St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge, Herts Community Meals, Lamer Fields Children's Centre, Redbourn Children's Centre, St Albans Health Visitors and The Harpenden Trust.