A HELPING hand has been given to the Weymouth Food Bank in the run-up to Christmas.

The Rotary Club of Weymouth has generously provided the food bank with a cheque for £250, filled Christmas stockings and donated Christmas themed food.

The President of Weymouth Rotary Club, Mike Parker, recently made the presentation.

The Weymouth Food Bank, based at Weymouth Baptist Church, helps to feed 2000 people.

There are dozens of regular voucher holders who have been referred by GPs, health visitors and teachers.

Clients vary from single parents to large families and from single people to young couples.

The food bank, which is run by volunteers and kept going by donations from 10 churches, is in such high demand that it will be open on Christmas Day.

Andrew Prowse, community committee chairman at the Rotary Club of Weymouth, said: “The Rotary Club decided to donate food and fill Christmas stockings for the food bank this year.

“They do fantastic work and it is so important to remember those less privileged at Christmas time, and to help those who may be struggling.”

Co-ordinator Lily Mockett runs the food bank with her husband, Bob.

She said she has been ‘absolutely overwhelmed’ with the support from the Rotary Club and so grateful that the club had taken the time to personally fill the Christmas stockings.

Mrs Mockett added: “All our food bank volunteers are so excited with the Christmas stockings because the Rotary Club has actually taken the time to fill them themselves.

“There are things like dolls in the girls’ stockings and cars in the boys’ stockings; the club have been so thoughtful and we’re ever so grateful to them for everything. We will also be making Christmas boxes with supplies for families this year and donations like this really do make all the difference.”

For more information about the food bank, or to find out more about how to donate call 07531 167465.