A Dorset foodbank will join charities across the country in celebrating the hard work and contribution of their volunteers.

As part of Volunteers' Week 2023 (June 1-7), Sherborne Food Bank will be celebrating the incredible achievements of its 70 volunteers; thanking them for everything they do.

2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers Week and with this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’, the Food Bank hopes to encourage more people to ‘be the change’ and get involved in volunteering.

Sherborne Food Bank Chairman, David Kemp, said: “Sherborne Food Bank faced an exponential rise of 47% increase in demand on its services in 2022, with 1,901 emergency food parcels delivered.

"We could not have met this challenge without the support of our dedicated volunteers who, week in week out, collect food donations, shop for products, sort and pack at our depot and deliver to recipients in Sherborne and the surrounding villages.

"We also acknowledge the work of our volunteer trustees and managers who ensure we operate smoothly and effectively as a registered charity, with all that entails.”

The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised, visible only through the positive impact of their volunteering.

"Moreover, the voluntary sector has never been more depended upon to support the most vulnerable in society.

"Sherborne Food Bank continues to play its part to help, as it has done since 2011, in the hope that the achievements of its volunteers will inspire others to join them.

Jill Warburton, Trustee for Volunteers at Sherborne Food Bank, says: “Through the work of our loyal volunteers we have been able to raise the profile of the Food Bank, generating donations which enable us to respond to referrals for emergency food aid, while also helping young people by supporting breakfast and tuck clubs in local schools and youth centres.

"We plan to continue reaching out to other food poverty groups in our area, with the aim of working together to help those most vulnerable to the effects of the current cost-of-living crisis."