Christmas is nearing and at YMCA Burton it is business as usual, albeit with a festive flair.

The housing projects have been given a little makeover where the clients have been helping to make craft decorations with support workers and decorate the Christmas trees.

Elsewhere in the organisation, the fundraising Team have started to help raise enough money to provide 400 emergency foodbank parcels to support people in need this Christmas and in to the New Year.

The Foodbank, which has experienced its busiest year in the 22-year history of this service, has seen unprecedented demand from people experiencing food poverty due to the cost of living crisis and visiting a foodbank for the first time. The food donations are understandably lower than in previous years and there have been empty shelves on many occasions this year.

Since the start of the year, over 2,800 parcels have been issued to residents of East Staffordshire. This equates to over 78,000 items of food.

This year, YMCA is asking for your donations to help stock up the foodbank ready for a tough winter ahead for many. You can this by visiting their website: www.burtonymca.org/donate where you will see a link to help light up their virtual Christmas tree.

You can also choose to donate to the foodbank instead of buying Christmas cards or presents this year. For every £25 you donate, the Charity will issue you with a Christmas gift voucher you can send to someone.  Please email fundraising@burtonymca.org if you would like to purchase a Christmas gift voucher.

As usual, their Reconnect centre will remain open throughout the Christmas period so if you know someone in need, please do not hesitate to let them know. They are located in Burton town centre, opposite the ASDA island.

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