A major Welsh food wholesaler has delivered a festive lifeline to struggling families on its doorstep in Gwynedd.<\/p>\n
Harlech Foodservice, based near Cricieth, loaded up one of its delivery vans for a special run to Pwllheli Food Bank at St Peter\u2019s Church, dropping off urgently needed supplies.<\/p>\n
The family firm \u2013 which supplies schools, hospitals, care homes and businesses across Wales \u2013 has supported the food bank since it was launched 13 years ago.<\/p>\n
Its latest donation included staples such as pasta and sauces alongside Christmas treats like mince pies and chocolates.<\/p>\n
Representatives Ursula Scurrah-Price and Mel Amor handed over the haul, which also included essential toiletries and cleaning products, as demand continues to surge.<\/p>\n
Food Bank Chair David Hill said: \u201cThe inspiration for founding the food bank came 13 years ago when a lady who is still a member of the congregation was at a supermarket in the town and saw someone putting items back on the shelves because she couldn\u2019t afford them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat got it started and it has gone on from there and been very successful and it\u2019s not just for Pwllheli but for the whole of the Ll\u0177n.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it is based here in the church it is independent and we pay rent like anyone else and we\u2019re here every Tuesday and Friday, from 12 noon until 2pm for donations and from 2pm to 3pm for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHarlech Foodservice have been longtime donors and we\u2019re very grateful for their support along with the three supermarkets, Aldi, Lidl and ASDA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Food Bank customers are referred there by Social Services, GP practices and charities and the volunteers make up food parcels for singles, couples and families and estimate they provide 1500 meals a year.<\/p>\n
Ursula, Harlech\u2019s Gwynedd Business Development Manager, said: \u201cThe volunteers here at Pwllheli Food Bank are doing a fantastic job and providing a vital service for so many people who are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Harlech we believe in getting involved in the community where we operate and this Christmas we have been distributing donations to food banks across Wales and into England but Gwynedd is where the business started and it remains very important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Food bank volunteer Maureen Jones was one of the original food bank team at the church where she is a also a member of the congregation and she said \u201cWe are independent so we rely entirely on donations and grants which we apply for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more well-known we get the more people in need will come to us and the economic situation at the moment also makes it very difficult, even for those who are working.<\/p>\n
\u201cSummer demand is actually higher than at this time of year because although in a holiday area there is more seasonal work children are also at home and not getting free school meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cRural areas also experience a different kind of poverty to the South Wales valleys. It\u2019s more hidden in rural areas like Gwynedd but it still exists and this is an extremely expensive time of year for families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harlech Foodservice Managing Director Mark Lawton said: \u201cWe see ourselves as a business that operates throughout Wales and in the North West and Midland counties of England but our heart is in Gwynedd and we like to support our important local good causes whenever we can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe in helping people having a difficult time and although it might be hard to believe that such a beautiful part of the country needs food banks that is sadly the case and we\u2019re happy to do our bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about Pwllheli Food Bank go to https:\/\/broenlli.com\/en\/food-bank\/<\/a> and for information on Harlech Foodservices go to https:\/\/www.harlech.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n