Hot off the back of their recent gold award in the Dorset Tourism Awards, Fish ’n’ Fritz, Weymouth decided to look for a way to say thank you to the local community.
Paul Hay, the owner of Fish ’n’ Fritz carried out some research and soon discovered, the demand for emergency food from Weymouth Foodbank grew by 33% in 2020. This equates to over 45,000 meals distributed to adults and children in the Weymouth area during last year. And the high demand is continuing this year.
Paul Hay explains “When I found out the truly staggering demand Weymouth Foodbank has, I knew it was an organisation we wanted to help out. Helen from the Foodbank told us about the need for fresh fruit and veg at this time of the year. So that’s what we did.”
Fish ’n’ Fritz donated 60 family fruit and vegetable boxes containing: potatoes, carrots, broccoli, onions, parsnips, cabbages, swede, apples, bananas and grapes.
Helen M “We are very grateful to Fish ‘n’ Fritz for donating fresh fruit and vegetable to give to our clients. We usually supply non-perishable food as this is much easier for us to store. However, knowing that this food was coming allowed us to plan accordingly. Having fresh food like this made a lovely change for our clients and was really well received. Thank you again for your kindness.”
Food boxes 
Fruit & Veg ready to be taken to Weymouth Foodbank
Paul Hay Owner Fish ’n’ Fritz tells us more, “For me this donation was a way to say thank you to the local community who have supported us so much over the last 24 years. For many, the effects of the COVID crisis in 2020 and 2021 has been incredibly tough mentally, physically and financially; people are falling through the cracks and need help.”
Weymouth Foodbank’s ethos is, “No member of our community should have to face going hungry.” Every week the Foodbank provides 3 days worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in need and referred to them. In 2020 Weymouth Foodbank provided help to 3378 adults and 1639 children, 45,153 meals in total.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can gain access to the FoodBank through the agencies they work with which include: Citizens Advice, First Point, The Lantern, Christians Against Poverty, Refresh, Doctors surgeries and health visitors, social services, children’s services, and some local charities.
If you want to donate, you can contact the Foodbank through their website www.weymouthfoodbank.co.uk email weymouthfb@outlook.com or phone on 07531 167465. The Foodbank operates Tuesday and Fridays at Weymouth Baptist Church, on The Esplanade, Monday’s at Westham Methodist Church, Newstead Road and on Wednesday’s from St Francis’ Church, Littlemoor.