New Forest Basics Bank expands volunteers as demand increases

TWENTY new volunteers have joined New Forest Basics Bank, swelling its ranks to well over 100 as the service continues to expand to meet demand.

The food parcel arm of the charity, which is based in Lymington, supports people who have been referred by other organisations, such as local authorities, and provides enough food for a household to have 21 meals a week.

It also runs a food rescue kitchen and works with national group FareShare to support community larders in Ashley, Pennington and Bransgore.

Lynn Peck, New Forest Basics Bank operations manager, said: “As we’ve expanded our services to provide more support across a wider area, we’ve needed more support from the local community.

“Our volunteer base has grown to 125, with another 20 recently recruited, but we’re always on the lookout for more volunteers.”

It has enabled the organisation to meet increased demand and was recently helped by local developer Pennyfarthing Homes, which donated £3,200 raised from the sale of former show home furniture.

Chair Oliver Stanley praised Pennyfarthing which since the outbreak of the pandemic has also provided a vehicle and driver for food deliveries, volunteers, handymen and donations.

“Their support has enabled us to meet the increased demand we’ve experienced in the past 18 months, enabling us to grow and expand our services to support as many vulnerable people as we can, and the team and I are most grateful for their continued support,” Mr Stanley said.