Eastwood Volunteer Bureau thanks everyone for 2025 food bank support

Eastwood Volunteer Bureau (EVB) has said a huge ‘thank you’ to all the businesses, churches, schools, groups and local people who went above and beyond again in 2025 with food bank donations.

EVB staff say people’s generosity helped ensure there was enough food and gifts to guarantee a merry Christmas for all the food bank users, their families and even their pets.

Anne Grew, community champion at Sainsbury's in Kimberley, hands over food donated by a generous anonymous customer to bureau manager Rachel Laurenson. Photo: Submitted

placeholder image — Anne Grew, community champion at Sainsbury's in Kimberley, hands over food donated by a generous anonymous customer to bureau manager Rachel Laurenson. Photo: Submitted

Sainsburys, Microlise, RSPCA, Bridgebank Limited, Honey Homes, Slimming World, staff at Lawerence Vets, Kimberley & Nuthall Parish Churches, Eastwood Council, Newthorpe Baptist Church, St Marys Church in Greasley, Holy Trinity Church in Kimberley, St Peters Church in Awsworth, Brackenfield Drive Christmas Lights plus many, many individuals, schools and groups have all done their bit over the past 12 months to the food bank’s larder to busting point.

All donations were gratefully received, and it was all hands on deck sorting everything and getting the food bags put together for the last food bank of the year on December 23.

Nichola, Katy, Jackie from Lawrence Vets with staff donations. Photo: Submitted

There was even a visit from Santa to help boost the volunteers working hard to get the bags ready on time.

Now, EVB has announced that the food bank hours are changing for 2026, and it will be open from 9am to 11am every Friday.

Users, and potential new users, can visit the bureau on Wellington Place in the town, or call 01773 535255 to arrange an assessment.

Rachel Laurenson, EVB and food bank manager, said: “At Christmas we doubled up on the food parcels as the next food bank was not until January 9.

Eastwood Slimming World consultant Caroline Redford hands over a donation to bureau manager Rachel Laurenson. Photo: Submitted

"As well as the staple food parcel, we did a special Christmas bag and all the families received gifts for the children.

“This year, we had so any special donations it meant that all the clients and their families were able to receive generous Christmas bags which included things like Christmas Crackers, selection boxes and much more.”

A food parcel typically includes a range of staples including bread, tea, coffee, sugar, cereal, rice or pasta, tinned soups, beans and tinned vegetables.

It also contains personal items including toilet rolls and other hygiene items.