Amazing generosity gave less fortunate a happy Christmas.

A charity has thanked Lincolnshire Echo readers for their overwhelming festive generosity.

The Lincoln Community Larder contacted the Echo in early December for help in appealing to Lincolnshire residents to donate food and money to make up Christmas food parcels for people in crisis.

Trustee to the Larder Kim Adams said the response the charity received had been “tremendous”.

“There was a wonderful response to the appeal in the Echo, with about 40 people bringing donations to the Larder and many more contacting us to find out how they could help in the future,” he said.

“A typical gift was a bag of sweets and chocolates that we could give out to the families who came to the Larder in the week before Christmas.

“One lady brought six selection boxes, which were great for a family with small children. Another, who we know only as Maria, donated 24 Christmas puddings.

“Most people seemed to have gone out specially to buy things that would be suitable, such as Christmas puddings.

“Some people even gave cash donations, including an Echo reader who donated £100, which will go towards food supplies in the coming weeks.”

The Larder runs throughout the year, relying entirely on charitable donations and the work of volunteers.

It is open two days a week at its premises in the YMCA Annexe in Rosemary Lane, Lincoln.

The aim of the Larder is to help the recipient of the food parcel through a crisis in their lives, when they have nowhere else to turn.

To qualify for a food parcel, a person needs to be referred by a local charity or agency such as Citizens’ Advice, the YMCA, or social services.

More than 1,200 meals were distributed by the Larder over the Christmas period.

However, trustee and organiser of the Larder, Mick Duffield, said that even though Christmas was over, the charity was still on the look out for donations.

“Going into the new year, the shelves are groaning, which is always a good sign,” he said.

“But the Larder is always ready to accept donations. We’re not complacent.

“Christmas may be over, but the poverty and the need for help isn’t.”

Donations can be dropped into the premises, or cheques can be sent, payable to the LCL, by care of the Lincoln YMCA. For more details, call (01522) 569291 and leave a message with contact details.