Galashiels and Area Foodbank needs your help this Christmas

And the group has issued a plea for help this festive season.

Liz Williams, chair of trustees, said: “Please consider donating to the food bank this Christmas time.

“All the money used goes to buying food for those who need it.

"Food can be donated at the collection points in supermarkets, or they can drop donations in the porch of St Peter’s Episcopalian Church in Galashiels.

“We are particularly keen to get fresh produce such as meat and fish, but we won’t turn anything down.

“This year we are providing both dry and fresh bags of food plus a £10 Asda voucher for each child and a £20 Asda voucher for each adult to cover the Christmas week, so I would appeal for people to donate vouchers or money.

“We believe that this would help families with warm clothing presents as well as treats.

“Many of the people we feed only need our help for short periods. What we offer though is not just food, it is the knowledge that people like you care about them, enough to give your hard-earned money to help them.

“It’s not charity, it is love and support and respect for others and the community looking after our own.

"Nobody should feel embarrassed coming to the food bank."

The food bank distributes on Wednesdays at Langlee Nursery car park between 1pm and 2pm and at St Peter’s Church between 1.30pm and 2.45pm.

The group is also at the Focus Centre on Thursdays between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, as that helps people who work through the day.

Ms Williams added: “This year we have seen a huge increase in requests for help and our volunteers, none of whom get paid, have been working over capacity in terms of volunteer hours and energy.

“So the foodbank will close between December 23 and January 4, hence the need for vouchers to cover the missing weeks.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/galashielsfoodbank