Keynsham Food Bank has been helping to distribute face masks made by a recently established group the Bath Theatrical Masketeers.

A third local charity group is involved and they are the Lions Club of Keynsham and District. Club member Sally Marsh has been helping to make the masks and she contacted Keynsham Food Bank to ask whether they would be willing to distribute masks to their clients. 

Sally Marsh said: "As the local Lions Club with a motto of ’We Serve’  we were delighted to be able to help fund this initiative."

The first consignment of 75 masks was gratefully received by Alan Hale the Chairman and Coordinator of the Keynsham Food Bank who said: "When I was approached by Sally I thought that her request was a great initiative and we readily joined forces with the Lions and the Masketeers. The first consignment was sent out in the food bags to our clients and they have been appreciated.  As a food bank that seeks to support those in food crisis we know how much more of a crisis this virus adds to their lives, lives that already hold so many challenges."

The masks are made from poly cotton fabric which means they can be washed at high temperature and reused. They do not replace the surgical masks which are such an important part of PPE.  To date 4300 have been produced.

Michael Auton, who together with his sister Rusette, established the Bath Theatrical Masketeers said:  "We launched the Bath Theatrical Masketeers to help support front line staff who were working so hard to protect vulnerable members of the community. Over the last six weeks we have produced and distributed over 4300 masks to care home, care companies, schools, pharmacies, shops, post offices and food banks in Frome, Midsomer Norton, Bath and Keynsham. We are thrilled to be working with Keynsham Lions and the Keynsham Food Bank to provide masks in all the food packs distributed, ensuring adults and children have face protection from the coronavirus."

Each food parcel that has gone out over the last two weeks has had an adult mask in it or two if there are two adults in the family. A further consignment of masks has been provided to the food bank, this time in child sizes.

Keynsham Food Bank has experienced unimaginable demands, numbers that they would never have anticipated when they set up in 2012.  During the last fiscal year they fed 1283 people. Now in just two months of this fiscal year they have already fed 813 people so well over half of what they did in the whole of last year. 

Alan Hale continued: "Whilst we are coping with the demand we can only do so with the continued generous support of the community at the drop boxes in the supermarkets. All of the needs of clients are being met and the food parcels are continuing to be delivered by the Keynsham and District Dial a Ride. Whilst we need the continual donations of food we are also needing financial support as we seek to find a better storage unit than we currently have and that of course will mean paying a rent."

In the Chew Valley, which Keynsham Food Bank serves, an additional drop box has recently been established at the Post Office in Pensford to add to the one at the Chew Magna Coop.

People or businesses who might like to support the Keynsham Food Bank financially can make donations to their bank account at sort code 60-12-11. account number 26641860.