An award-winning fish and chip shop has pledged to make a big donation of fruit and vegetable boxes to Weymouth Foodbank an annual event.

For the second year running, Paul Hay, Owner of Fish ‘n’ Fritz, arranged for 60 boxes to be delivered.

The first donation in 2021 came at the height of the Covid lockdown after he discovered more about Weymouth Foodbank’s work in the local community.

It distributes food for more than 50,000 meals annually to families across Weymouth from its three outlets at Weymouth Baptist Church, Westham Methodist Church and St Francis, Littlemoor.

Since the start of the pandemic, the foodbank has seen the need for its services more than double.

It now runs the operation from a central warehouse on the Granby Industrial Estate called the ‘Hub’, supplying the three satellite outlets.

The opening of the Hub has allowed the footbank to store and rotate the increased level of food donated in a safe and orderly way.

It’s also enabled it to take delivery of bulk buying from Morrisons Wholesale and local suppliers of eggs, cheese, fruit and vegetables.

Fridges and freezers have also been installed .

Fish ‘n’ Fritz works closely with organisations in the community, including The Bus Shelter Dorset and The Lantern Trust.

For many years, Paul has been promoting and accepting ‘Suspended Coffee & Meal’ from customers who want to help people less fortunate than themselves.

Over time this has equated to thousands of hot drinks and meals.

Paul, pictured left, said: “The work Fish ‘n’ Fritz does in the community is very important to the team and me.

“Discovering the gap the foodbank filled, and how tirelessly the team work to help people to put food on their family’s table, inspired me to make our fruit and veg box donation an annual thing.

“Now, more so than ever, with the cost of living crisis affecting even more people, it’s important to step up and help where we can.”

The Fish ‘n’ Fritz fruit and vegetable boxes are aimed at families, couples and singles.

They contain a wide selection of fruit and veg including potatoes, carrots, broccoli, onions, parsnips, cabbages, swede, apples, bananas and grapes.

Helen Miller, of Weymouth Foodbank, said: “Last February, Fish ‘n’ Fritz helped us to increase the provision through their donation.

“This new donation of 60 fruit and vegetable boxes does the same again

“This, and other financial donations, means we can now supply fresh fruit and veg each week to our customers, which they really appreciate.

“All of us here at Weymouth Foodbank would like to thank Fish ‘n’ Fritz for their generous donation.”

• To donate, please contact the foodbank through its website weymouthfoodbank.co.uk or email weymouthfb@outlook.com