The Rutland Foodbank team have announced the return of their annual Reverse Advent Calendar on the approach to Christmas 2023.

This comes as the yearly statistics are announced by the Rutland-based charity, who work hard ensuring that no one in Rutland goes hungry.

The Trussell Trust, who runs the foodbank, aims to ensure that no one goes hungry, with a long term goal of eliminating the need for food banks across the country.

Despite the festive feeling in the air as Christmas approaches and the foodbank team get ready to launch their annual advent scheme, it has been announced that families and households using the foodbank service has increased by 13% compared to the same period last year.

Nonetheless, the team are passionate about making sure that local foodbank users do not miss out this Christmas, and are launching their annual Reverse Advent Calendar with plenty of time for residents to donate.

The Reverse Advent Calendar encourages residents to donate specific items so that Rutland households struggling this winter can enjoy a selection of festive treats this Christmas.

Join the annua Reverse Advent scheme with Rutland Foodbank this Christmas. Image credit: Rutland Foodbank.

Chair of Rutland Fodbank, Ali Wainwright, said: "This year we have already received 456 referrals. This is a 13% increase in referrals compared with the same period last year. We are supporting 218 households across Rutland compared with 186 in the same period that year. Just over 30% of all the referrals are new households, meaning that they have not needed help from the foodbank before.

"As the nights get darker and the weather cooler we know that there will be more households struggling and having to make difficult choices to eat or heat so we are expecting to be busy. Our wonderful volunteers (as always) are ready to respond and help those who are struggling across Rutland.

"Thank you and all those who you link with for your ongoing support. Together we create a strong and supportive community network, truly Multum in Parvo (Much in Little)."

Find out more about Rutland Foodbank online, or drop your advent donations off at 36 Melton Road by 15 December.