The community has united to support the Seaton Foodbank and the Operation Christmas Child initiative.

During the harvest festival in September and October, local churches and residents generously donated to the Seaton Foodbank.

This surge of goodwill helped 158 people, providing them with food for 3,318 meals.

The foodbank reported that their collection bins in local stores were often filled to overflowing, while monetary donations also poured in.

The foodbank expressed its gratitude to the community for supplementing its dwindling reserves.

A spokesperson said: "Foodbanks have become essential to some people, which is a sad indictment of our society.

"However, it is with grateful thanks that we as a foodbank can recognise the wonderful kindness of those in our local community."

The foodbank has become a crucial lifeline for many, as people face hardship due to various reasons, including ill health, job loss, rent increases, and changes to benefits.

The foodbank is open every Wednesday from 2pm to 3.30pm at Number One, Harepath Road, Seaton.

It can be contacted via email at foodbankseaton@gmail.com or by phone on 07598 927997.

Meanwhile, the community also showed its global compassion through the National Shoe Box Appeal, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child.

For years, the local churches have been working with the community to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in faraway countries, living in extreme poverty and war-torn areas.

A total of 336 boxes have been collected this year, filled with carefully selected toys, notebooks, crayons, and writing equipment.

Some residents have been knitting hats, scarves, and gloves all year long to include in the boxes.

The spokesperson added: "Moving our attention to a more global picture, many of you will have learned of and supported annually the National Shoe Box Appeal, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child.

"As in previous years, the local churches have worked with the wider community to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in far away countries, children who are living in extreme poverty and war-torn countries.

"Some people have been knitting hats, scarves and gloves all year long.

"Toys have been carefully selected, notebooks, crayons and writing equipment placed with love inside the boxes for these children to receive over the Christmas period."

The boxes were dropped off at St Augustine’s RC Church, where a service was held blessing the boxes and praying for each child who would receive these gifts.

In a statement, the foodbank expressed its gratitude: "Without people’s kindness and love, where would we be?

"A heartfelt ‘thank you’ is sent to everyone."