Now that the Tar Barrels have been rolled it means the other most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner.

And the Ottery Larder is already in preparation for the festive season with plans to help bring some Christmas cheer to everyone.

Members are working with the Ottery Community Volunteers, Ottery Help Scheme, Ottery St Mary Town Council, Business Forum and others to try and identify those who need the most support.

Sainsbury's and Otter Garden Centre have already pledged to support the project but the Business Forum is appealing for all of the town’s businesses to play their part.

Ottery Community Volunteers opened The Ottery Larder a year ago, and in that time have served more than 500 Ottery families in excess of £50,000 worth of free food and other family essentials.

This year they plan to expand on last Christmas’s offering and will be delivering a range of food parcels, gift baskets and full Christmas dinners to those who are lonely, vulnerable or in need of a lift this festive season.

Businesses, organisations and individuals could help out in a variety of ways to ensure that people do not go hungry at Christmas including:

  • If you would like to sponsor food boxes and be involved in the advertising and promotion then please email admin@ottery.biz for more info.
  • If you would like to make a small donation then you can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/f/osmcv
  • If you would like to donate products or would like to get involved in the packing and distribution of the boxes then please contact otterylarder@gmail.com
  • And most importantly, if you know anyone who you think would benefit from a little something at Christmas please get in touch at help@ottery.online. All information will be kept absolutely confidential and destroyed once help has been delivered.
  • If you have any more ideas or suggestions you can contact the Larder team through Facebook at www.facebook.com/otterylarder or any of the emails above

The Ottery St Mary Business Forum was established to support, promote, inform and enable local businesses in and around Ottery St Mary in East Devon.