This week pupils across Epping Forest are returning to school and therefore it is timely to thank our two food projects in Epping Forest, the Epping Forest Food Bank and 3Food4U.

Both of which have continued to run throughout the six weeks of the school summer holidays and operate throughout Epping Forest with hubs in Chigwell, Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Epping and Ongar.

Both groups have continued to offer essential help, support and food supplies for many local families throughout the school holidays.

Some of the feedback that I am aware of has been not only extremely positive but very moving as well.

It was particularly impressive that the Epping Forest Food Bank was able to deliver three lots of fortnightly special food deliveries to approximately 80 local families as part of the ‘food in the school holidays’ (FISH) initiative as well as continue to run their usual weekly food hubs.

3Food4U organised the great initiative of providing school stationery at their food distribution hubs in the last full week of the summer holidays, which has been a great help for local families in meeting the expense of starting a new school year.

To both groups, their volunteers and supporters thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

As long as these two groups are required here in Epping Forest I am certain that local residents will continue to support them with their time, money and food donations.

Stephen Murray

Independent Loughton Roding Ward Councillor