Caldicot families given Christmas Parcels by Food Bank

More than 140 families living in Caldicot have benefitted from a Special Children's Christmas Parcel this year.

The special Caldicot Food Bank scheme aims to provide family members, in the Caldicot and Magor area, with food and other household needs. In addition, they say they provide Christmas presents for all family members, along with Christmas food and other items that help make Christmas special like crackers, party poppers, balloons, snack items, chocolates, seasonal biscuits, and a Christmas card.

Targeted at local families with children and where the adults are struggling to cope, it comes at a time when it's most needed by so many.  

The Food Bank claims that those most affected by the current pandemic are children whose family life has been shattered. They say that people as young as age sixteen have been forced to flee from their homes, and many a man or woman escape their former relationship due to violence and intimidation. 'Every time it's the children who suffer,' the Food Bank claim.

Working closely with Health Visitors, Primary School Head Teachers, Flying Start (the Welsh Government's early years' programme), Housing Officers and others they've identified local young vulnerable children and their families.

Once the parcels were assembled these various agencies then delivered the packs to each household.

Warehouse Manager Diane Taylor, told us about a person who benefitted from a parcel. 'I've just received a parcel from you', she wrote, commenting on 'the considered items for her young daughter.' 'I shed a few tears,' the lady said, continuing to explain how much she'd been stressed by her circumstances, how she'd been encouraged by the kindness and generosity of the public, and just wanting to say 'thank you!'

'Messages like this makes it all worthwhile,' concluded Diane.

 As the Caldicot Food Bank wraps up its year they advise that this coming festive season they'll be open for clients to collect Food Parcels on Christmas Eve (24th) and New Year's Eve (31^st), from 10 am until noon. Food Parcels are only distributed to clients with a Food Voucher, available from an accredited agency following an assessment of needs.

The Food Bank's last, yet possibly biggest, event of the year is open to all at 6 pm on Saturday 19^th December. This year students and staff at Caldicot School will be joined by Caldicot Male Voice Choir and Severn Tunnel Band in a virtual Christmas Concert. No tickets are needed, and members of the public will be able to view the event on Caldicot Music's Twitter page at @CaldicotMusic