The harvest was bountiful and the good people of Farnham gave generously during the season of goodwill.

But the giving isn’t restricted to Christmas at Farnham Foodbank as the good cause will keep giving handouts long after the last Turkey sandwich is eaten.

The charity has urged well-wishers not to forget them as the need for their services sadly remains strong.

You would think the need for a food bank in Farnham may be low given the town’s perceived affluence.

But they’ve helped around 2,600 people a year on average over the last two with no sign on the horizon of a big drop in demand as the cost of living crisis continues.

Fiona Brooks, Farnham Foodbank project manager, has asked residents to keep up their amazing support as there is traditionally a drop in donations after Christmas.

The FFB will dip into its own funds to buy items if there’s not enough on the shelves, so it’s an enormous help to their finances and the town’s residents when donations are made.

Fiona said: “We’re OK and I wouldn’t want to paint a picture that the shelves are empty because the public were so generous over harvest and Christmas.

“But what often happens is that there is a bit of a lull in January and February and it’s the same with most foodbanks.

“We’ve just got to keep momentum going over this period and remind people that we always welcome donations.

“Even affluent Farnham still has pockets of poverty and people in a desperate need and trust me, we’ve heard plenty of heartbreaking stories.”

The FFB, which is part of a nationwide network of food banks supported by the Trussell Trust, makes frequent requests via its website and Facebook page for items that are getting low.

The charity could do with more UHT milk and juice, toilet rolls, squash and tinned meat like hot dogs, ham and minced beef for its mid and late-January food parcels.

Readers who would like to help out can leave donations at nine drop-off points around the town with locations including The Vineyard Centre, Farnham Waitrose, Rowledge Co-op, Wine Rack, Spire Café, St Mark’s Church, Wrecclesham Co-op, Savills Downing Street and the Farnborough Road Co-op in Heath End.

This being Farnham, the FFB occasionally finds the odd treat in the donation bin with “lovely pasta sauces and pesto” among the more high-end offerings.

But they’re grateful for every item donated and their support over Christmas touched their hearts.

Fiona added: “Yes, we’re always looking for donations, but the real message we want to tell people is thank you to everyone who has donated over the Christmas period, as it made such a difference.”

More information about drop-off times and what a food parcel typically contains can be found at www.farnham.foodbank.org.uk or by looking for Farnham Foodbank on Facebook.

If you want to get involved or potentially require their services, email [email protected] or call us on 07901 581539.