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Boxes full of food have been collected for Haverhill Foodbank by staff and customers of 1st Stop Recruitment, Haverhill’s longest-serving recruitment agency.

The food collection was presented to Ann Merrrigan, operations manager for REACH on Monday, December 16, at the agency’s offices in Jubilee Walk after 1st Stop Recruitment put out an appeal for donations.

Among the generous companies who donated were Genzyme, HID, The Design Office, and Simply PR. The 1st Stop staff themselves also donated bags full of food.

The recruitment agency in Jubilee Walk wanted to help support a local charity this Christmas and chose Haverhill Foodbank, which supports families and individuals in need who have been affected by problems including losing their job or benefits.

This is the second year 1st Stop Recruitment has helped the charity. In 2012 they managed to collect 152kg.

Lesley Whiting, director of 1st Stop Recruitment, said: “It is thanks to charities like Haverhill Foodbank and REACH that things will be made a little easier and brighter for people suffering in our town this Christmas. Along with our generous customers, we wanted to do our bit to support people less fortunate.”

Haverhill Foodbank was launched in October 2008 by REACH community projects in partnership with The Trussell Trust and Haverhill and District Churches Together (HDCT).

The Foodbank collects donations to help bridge the gap with food for a family or individual for at least three days (or until other agencies or services becomes available).

They work closely with other agencies, ie family support workers, health visitors and social services.

Ann Merrigan said: “We have been amazed by the amount of donations received from the community and local businesses this year. There is an overwhelming sense of community spirit in Haverhill.”