Anyone finding themselves in need of a food parcel over the coming weeks can contact The Food Alliance via the Torbay Community Helpline.

Help is just a call away and those in need can call the helpline on 01803 446022 or by using the online form.

Councillor Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Many of our residents have been helped and supported by this service and I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers involved in this project. We want to make sure we can support those who are most at need during the Christmas period. This time of year can be a hard time financially but in the midst of a pandemic we all need to be supporting those who may be struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families.”

Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health for Torbay Council, said: “The Torbay Food Alliance, working in partnership with Torbay Council, is made up of community and voluntary sector organisations working together in Torbay. The alliance was set up as a direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, with a common goal: to ensure that no-one in Torbay goes hungry during this crisis. This is especially true over the festive season.”

This week and next week, beginning Monday 21 and 28 December, the Torbay Community Helpline will be operating on reduced hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10am until 2pm.

From Monday 4 January, the helpline will return to its regular hours of Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 9:30am to 12:30pm.

To find out more about the help on offer, or to volunteer your time to support this scheme please visit www.torbayfoodalliance.org.