Burnham's The Bee pub helps Slough Food Bank face worse month yet

Patrons and staff at Burnham’s The Bee played their part in the pub’s first ever food drive this year, helping to collect Christmas hamper items for families in need.

The Britwell Road pub was a designated drop-off point for the Slough Food Bank where people brought in seasonal treats and staples.

With bottomless brunches, 90s discos, Christmas parties, quizzes and karaoke, locals have been flocking to The Bee to enjoy the festivities.

General Manager Alex Knight decided to place a collection box at the bar where people could leave Christmas cakes, mince pies, biscuits, crackers and chocolates in aid of the worthy cause.

“This is the first one we’ve done and I’m really pleased with how it went,” she said.

“We wanted to give back to the community and we know that it’s tough for everyone right now. We wanted to help around Christmas and it’s been so well received that we’re planning on doing it all year round.”

Alex said that she put a basket on the bar and it was soon topped up with donations. People even gave cash which all went towards the cause.

“We’re such a community pub,” she continued.

“It’s so nice that everyone wanted to come together to give back.”

The news comes as today Slough Food Bank issued its comparative figures for families they have helped in the last 12 months.

The number of food parcels provided by the charity has increased by 31% with the number of adults seeking help increasing by 35% and the number of children in food poverty increasing by 26% in the same period.

The charity issued a plea on its social channels which asked the government for more action.

“It's really sad to see such numbers in November, we were hoping that following the cost of living payments at the end of Oct and early November this would have led to a decrease in demand - this month we've had an increase in the number of children as more families are struggling with food poverty. In the winter months, people are under increased pressure to heat their homes. We're urging the government to make changes that last, like making sure that the basic rate of Universal Credit is at least enough to afford the essentials we all need, such as food, household bills and travel costs,” said the message.

Slough Food Bank Manager Laura Cole explained the issue further to the Advertiser:

“It’s a mixed message really. It is really appalling but then when you see stuff like The Bee - we have so much support in the local area we are just so grateful, particularly at the moment with everybody struggling.

“It is sad news but we are amazingly lucky to have the support that we do.

“The main driver of these figures in November is the increase in families – the number of children went up by 26% so what we are seeing are bigger families that are struggling and that means that we are feeding more people.

“Rather than it being single households it’s families and that is always the shocking thing really, especially at this time of year.

“Christmas is supposed to be about happier things so we are quite shocked. That’s the first time we have gone over a thousand food parcels in a month so it’s pretty stark.”

Laura said that donations are always needed and to see the website for how to donate.

“Anything that people feel they can spare is much appreciated,” she said.

www.slough.foodbank.org.uk