Care home residents donate home-baked bread and more to Bedford Foodbank

The food packages, including the delicious Richmond homemade bread, were picked up by Adela Walster, left and Stella Brooks

A care home handed that launched a bakery during lockdown has handed over delicious goodies, including home-baked bread, to Bedford Foodbank.

The donation by Richmond Manor Care Home in Ampthill was organised by staff and residents involved in its Well Bread Bakery, an artisan bread-making initiative launched during lockdown last year.

The Well Bread Bakery helped keep residents and families connected through video calls, where residents shared their favourite recipes and learnt new bread making techniques.

The foodbank at Ampthill Methodist Church, Church Street, is the collection point for the foodbank and helps feed families and individuals in the area.

Foodbank volunteer Stella Brooks said: “I set up the foodbank 10 years ago to help needy local families.

“Ever since then individuals and organisations have generously supported this work with gifts of both groceries and money.

“The Foodbank, run entirely by volunteers, has seen an increased need for its services during the pandemic.

“When Richmond Manor contacted us about the Well Bread Bakery, we were delighted with their wonderful offer of food boxes including their delicious homemade bread. Each family was absolutely thrilled to receive its food box!

“Every one of us is part of one big community and it is good that Foodbank can step in when and where help is most needed.”

Richmond Manor’s Head Chef Ian Woods said: “Baking bread is very therapeutic, and we’ve enjoyed doing this all together at Richmond, the bread is very much a team effort, and we are pleased that other families can enjoy our produce.”

The foodbank is always happy to receive donations. There is a collection point at St Andrew’s Church, Church Square, Church Street, Ampthill, and the church is open 9am -4pm daily.

You can find out more about the Well Bread Bakery online.