A PWLLHELI priest is growing a beard this winter to raise much needed funds for the town’s foodbank.

Father Huw Bryant’s efforts come after recent figures released by foodbank charity the Trussell Trust reveal that there has been an increase in the use of foodbanks across Wales, with low income families and those with children faring worst as a result of changes to the benefit system.

From January to October this year 330 food parcels have gone out to 148 families and 182 parcels to single people and couples from Pwllheli Foodbank.

Father Bryant, who is involved with Pwllheli Foodbank situated at St Peter’s Church, said: “What we have seen is a big increase in families using the foodbank in Pwllheli.

“We are expecting the next couple of months to be a lot busier, we are facing the perfect storm of the increased heating bills, the seasonal work coming to an end and universal credits are hitting the area this month as well.

“What is important with the work of the foodbank is not just the food which is given out, but the pastoral care given.

“We try to provide a safe and caring environment.

“The mental anguish some of the customers are going through, wondering how they are going to feed their kids is enormous.

“We’ve had people in need of bedding and one of the big problems we face, other than the fact there are so many people who have no means of feeding themselves, is the mental health side.

“So many people just have no idea of where the next meal is coming from, especially when you have kids and it’s causing severe distress.

“The volunteers at the foodbank are often dealing with people who are breaking down, and we make sure there is a place in St Peter’s for a cup of tea and a chat.

“With all the welfare cutbacks it is affecting the rest of the spurt networks as well and people just don’t know where to turn for help.

“Some of the national statistics on suicide are truly terrifying and those who volunteer at the foodbank have dealt with a number of cases of people on the verge of it.

“One of the great things we’ve seen is people coming as customers, then becoming volunteers, rebuilding self-esteem and belief in themselves and then managing to secure sustainable employment because of inadequately heated houses bringing damp and mold.”

Father Bryant said he believes it’s important to highlight that homelessness is not just an urban problem; it’s also a problem in rural areas, like Pwllheli.

He added: “I spoke to a local homeless charity recently and it was quite frightening how many homeless cases there are in the area.

“There’s a lot of ‘sofa surfing’, we don’t see them sleeping in shop doorways so we assume there isn’t a homeless problem, but poverty and homelessness is certainly not just an urban problem.”

To sponsor Father Bryant in his efforts to grow a beard this winter to raise money for Pwllheli Foodbank visit https://my.give.net/SaveMyBeard or if you would prefer him to shave his beard off then you can donate by visiting https://my.give.net/ShaveMyBeard.