COMMUNITY groups across Whitchurch have been coming together to help deliver food to those who need it the most.

Whitchurch Foodbank has been helping families through the summer who struggle to feed their children while not at school.

Earlier in the year the foodbank put out an appeal for extra provisions during the holiday, with around 50 families requiring the use of the foodbank.

In all 55 families from the Whitchurch, Wem and Malpas area received food twice throughout the holiday with 122 children benefitting from the scheme.

While the food parcels contained primarily non-perishable goods, with the help from Sainsbury’s and Tesco the foodbank was able to offer bread, vegetables and fresh fruit.

Also, a large element of the food came from stock, but there was still a great deal that needed to be purchased.

However, a group of local youngsters working under the National Citizenship Service scheme sprang into action.

They organised an 80s quiz night which also included a cake sale and a raffle.

Through their committed fundraising efforts to support the foodbank they raised £510.66.

Manager of Whitchurch Foodbank Eileen Livesey was happy with the outcome of the collections and praised the efforts of all those involved.

"The Foodbank’s Management Committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make the scheme such a success," said Eileen.

"That includes the general public who donated items of food in the churches and supermarkets and Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s for the fresh food and the supply of boxes.

"A large number of volunteers worked long hours picking, packing and allocating the food and special thanks too go to representatives from Wem Methodist Church who undertook the collection and delivery of food boxes to those living in the Wem area.

"Finally, well done to the young people who raised such a large amount of money to support those in need."

Meanwhile members of the North Salop Wheelers Community Baxi have been volunteering their spare time to deliver the food where it needs to go.

Driver John Harrison said he was 'very happy' to lend a hand and emphasised the point that it was all about making sure people got fed, especially school children who would typically take advantage of free school meals.