THE Ilkley Food Bank is working with various community groups to provide food parcels over the Christmas period for local needy families.

Jane Wearing, Ilkley Food Bank Co-ordinator said: “We estimated that the Food Bank will give around 280 bags of food that will, along with other items from other groups, combine to support 140 local families.

“The logistics and organisation to achieve this in a short period of time isn’t easy but we already have plans in place with our volunteers for the collecting, storage and packing of food items on this scale. But we urgently need your help!

“With your donations our volunteers work week in week out to ensure families in the community have regular Food Bank support and at this time we would urgently like to receive donations mainly of the following please: Mince Pies, tins/tubs of chocolates or biscuits, family packs of cereals, instant coffee, fruit squash, sugar, rice, pasta sauces, tinned fish, tinned tomatoes, pulses, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, biscuits, toiletries (gift sets would be lovely!), toilet rolls and toothpaste. We also need more carrier bags.

“As ever our local giving points are open for donations at Booths, Tesco and the Co-Op (Bolton Bridge Road). We all know that Christmas this year may well be different and difficult in many ways for many of us but the work by the Ilkley Food Bank is part of our on-going support and we are delighted to be helping as best we know. We hope you can help us to help others. Thank you in advance.”