MORE than 200 families will receive an extra Christmas present this year thanks to Stroud District Foodbank.

The umbrella organisation which runs centres in Stroud, Stonehouse, Nailsworth, Dursley and Wotton Under Edge, has arranged to give out more than 200 Christmas hampers to families in need during this festive season.

According to the foodbank’s project manager Will Mansell, the hampers will help feed more than 600 people in the Stroud district.

“All of the food was donated to us in the past few weeks and we are really grateful for all the support,” said Will.

“The hampers we give out make sure that families on the breadline have something nice to eat during Christmas.”

This week the government has come under pressure to find a way to reduce the number of people using foodbanks.

A report released by a cross-party group of MP’s and church leaders blamed an income squeeze, benefit delays and excessive utility bills for a huge rise in the use of foodbanks.

The number of people using Stroud foodbanks has almost doubled in the past year – with 4,239 people using it this year compared to 2,430 people last year.

The hampers are being delivered this week to families who have been referred to the organisation by the centres throughout the district.

The foodbank is still taking donations for Christmas and is asking all those hoping to donate to do so by Monday, December 15, in order to get items processed in time for Christmas.

This Christmas the organisation has also joined with the Stroud charity Ebenezer and Stroud Women’s Refuge to run a joint campaign working to encourage people to donate their fuel allowance.

The government provides a winter fuel payment to anyone born before 1952 to make sure they can heat their home in the cold of winter.

This payment is made regardless of income meaning millionaires get the same payment as those just living on a state pension.

The partnership is therefore asking anyone over 65 who doesn’t need their fuel allowance to consider donating it to help those less fortunate heat their home this winter.

Just send a cheque to: Stroud District Foodbank, Unit 14, Stroud Enterprise Centre, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL5 3NL.

For details visit donateyourfuelallowance.com.