COMMUNITY heroes at a Kidderminster foodbank have been recognised for their tireless work delivering food parcels to those in desperate need during lockdown.

Sam, Paul and Barbara Guille have dedicated countless hours to Wyre Forest Food Bank over the course of the last year after seeing demand for the service soar in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Franche Community Church had already operated as an independent food bank for 10 years, but was forced to expand its operation last year to cope with demand.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Paul, Sam and Barbara Guille receiving our Lockdown Heroes award from Bewdley Rotarian Bob Eaton. Photo by Colin HillPaul, Sam and Barbara Guille receiving our Lockdown Heroes award from Bewdley Rotarian Bob Eaton. Photo by Colin Hill

The family was nominated for our Lockdown Heroes award by Susie Griffiths, who said: "They deserve to be recognised for their selfless work sending food parcels out into the community.

"They are the loveliest family, working non-stop, supporting others with their church work alongside being hands-on coordinating this whole operation with their incredible volunteer team.

"They are exhausted and selfless. I couldn't think of more worthy winners."

After receiving the award, the Guilles said: "We have been contacted by so many desperate people at this time and we feel privileged to be able to help.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Sam and Paul Guille sorting donations into food parcels at Wyre Forest Food Bank in Kidderminster. Photo by Colin HillSam and Paul Guille sorting donations into food parcels at Wyre Forest Food Bank in Kidderminster. Photo by Colin Hill

"Before coronavirus, we were distributing 30 boxes each week. Once lockdown happened, this increased to over 200 boxes every week, with the resultant logistical challenges of managing social-distanced packing, sorting and 27 drivers making deliveries.

"We moved from around 20 volunteers to over 45 in a couple of weeks. Without so many members of the community volunteering, this would have been impossible.

"Finally in the week preceding Christmas, we delivered in the region of 540 boxes to ensure our volunteers could also have a holiday."

Bob Eaton, the Bewdley Rotarian who presented the award, said: "I did genuinely feel honoured to hand over the certificate at Franche Community Church Food Bank.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Paul, Sam and Barbara Guille receiving our Lockdown Heroes award. Photo by Colin HillPaul, Sam and Barbara Guille receiving our Lockdown Heroes award. Photo by Colin Hill

"It’s heartening to see how many good decent people are working so hard to serve others. Well done and thank you Paul, Barbara and Sam, not least during Barbara’s knee replacement!"

Wyre Forest Food Bank is completely dependent on donations and the Guille family added: "We are grateful for all our supporters and are always willing to accept donations, both financial and in kind, sourcing discounted, short date life items and grants to continue meeting the enormous demand of this present crisis.

"Each month besides the amazing donations, we are spending around £5,000 on food in the local supermarkets."

Anyone interested in supporting the food bank should email wyreforest.fb@gmail.com or search @WyreForestFoodBank on Facebook. Donations can be made via PayPal or by text through the churches website franchecommunitychurch.co.uk.

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Since November, The Shuttle and Wyre Forest Rotary have been searching for the heroic individuals, community groups, charities and businesses that have kept people safe and well throughout the lockdowns.

Nominations for the awards have now closed but we will be publishing stories about our winners in the paper and online each week.