Community food bank in Bognor Regis closes doors

The Community Help Box started during the first lockdown, originally as a way to help make sure children on free school meals received packed lunches.

Organiser and full-time teacher Rachel Appleby said it grew quickly, not to mention unexpectedly, from there.

Working out of the Bersted Park Community Centre, the help box offered free food to anyone who wanted or needed it.

Now, with the donations which once made the volunteer-run foodbank possible drying up, the helpbox is closing up shop for the last time.

Even so, Ms Appleby said she is happy with what she and the volunteers have achieved.

“We just sort of bit the bullet and got it done. I’m really proud of it, actually.”

Ms Appleby went on to say she wanted to thank the volunteers, donors and members of the community who made the help box a reality.