Six volunteers from two local housebuilders have spent a day sorting and packing food boxes for families in crisis.

The volunteers from Barratt Homes Bristol and David Wilson Homes South West helped out at Swindon Food Collective.

They assisted at the food bank’s warehouse in Westlea, helping to prepare food boxes for those in need across the region.

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, was one of the volunteers.

She said: "It was a pleasure to support the Swindon Food Collective knowing you’re making a real difference in our community.

"The charity’s work is vital in supporting families and individuals facing difficult times, and we are pleased to contribute to such a well-meaning cause."

The collective is run by five part-time staff and more than 100 volunteers, and last year provided food parcels to 10,502 people, with a quarter of these being children.

In total, 96 tonnes of food, equivalent to about 80,000 meals, were distributed.

The charity receives donations of non-perishable food and toiletries, which are then transformed into food boxes.

These boxes are distributed to individuals and families in need through approved organisations, including schools, doctors, and social workers.

The warehouse in Stonehill Green, Westlea, serves as the central hub for operations.

Here, teams of volunteers assist in the logistical process of assembling food boxes, which are then distributed to one of the collective’s 11 distribution centres in Swindon and the surrounding areas.

Following the day of volunteering the housebuilders will be delivering a food donation to the charity as part of their ongoing drive of support.

This new donation was kicked off on National Food Bank Day last month and since then staff from Barratt Homes Bristol and David Wilson Homes South West have been bringing food donations to work.

Cher Smith, manager of the Swindon Food Collective, said: "We’re incredibly grateful for this ongoing support.

"Volunteers play a crucial role in our operations, helping us to sort, pack, and distribute food to those in crisis.

"Thanks to the teams from Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, we’ll be able to reach more people in need which will make a real difference in our community."

Barratt Homes Bristol and Barratt David Wilson Homes South West are currently building new homes at Wichelstowe.

Residents at Wichelstowe can donate food for Swindon Food Collective at the nearby Waitrose supermarket.

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