Bury St Edmunds’ Festive Food Project to offer those in need Christmas meals and hampers

A Bury St Edmunds project which aims to reduce social isolation at Christmas time is back for another year and is urging residents to refer people they know who could benefit from support.

The Festive Food Project began in 2020 and provides meals and hampers for anyone who will be spending Christmas Day alone or people facing financial hardship. It is a partnership programme with Abbeycroft Leisure and West Suffolk College, supported by Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw and funded by Bury St Edmunds Town Council.

It is part of a wider initiative, called Reducing Isolation with Food, which delivers heat-at-home meals every few months throughout the year to individuals who live alone.

As well as providing a meal prepared by students at West Suffolk College, project volunteers also offer a phone conversation or a much needed doorstep chat to vulnerable people. They can also signpost people to other services and support in the town.

Frank Carn-Pryor, sports and outdoor activity officer at Abbeycroft Leisure, said: “We’re all systems go at the moment and thanks to the town council and other partners we’re going to be able to support even more people this year, so we want to make sure that we are reaching those who need the help most.

“So if you know someone in your community who would benefit from a free meal and hamper, please make a referral via our website.”

Greg Luton, Bury St Edmunds Town Council clerk, said: “The town council is very supportive of this project and is happy to both fund it and offer practical help on the ground.

“As well as the grant aspect, I know our councillors love taking part and seeing Christmas meals getting to some of those who need them most.”

The next delivery will be on Friday, December 22. Recipients must live in Bury, with IP33 and IP32 postcodes.

The town council has also funded fifty Family Food Boxes for families in financial hardship and four hundred recipe packs of cost effective Christmas recipes that will be available in various locations around the town.

To refer someone see here.

More information can be found on the website.