For 10 years the members of the Rotary Club of Tain and Easter Ross had collected tinned and packet foodstuffs to make hampers at Christmas. These have been distributed anonymously by the charity running the Tain Foodbank. After almost 2 years of Covid-19, far more families and households across the Easter Ross Peninsula, from Alness to Ardgay have found it increasingly tough.

Rising fuel and heating costs added to job losses and fear of illness have meant that in many households the decision is to "eat or heat". For them Christmas will be particularly difficult as everyone around them celebrate.

Rotarians have responded by deciding to ramp up our annual Hamper plans and widen our support to cover the foodbanks in Alness, Invergordon and Tain helping people in the communities covering Alness, Invergordon, Seaboard Peninsula and Tain and District. We are seeking food donations until 30th November and aim to make up hampers and parcels during the first week of December for distribution thereafter by the local Foodbanks.

Some kind people have offered a cash donation to enable us to purchase even more items, especially the higher value ones like Christmas cakes and treats. Our local supermarkets have been fantastic offering discounted prices and/or donated items like Children's selection boxes.

If you would like to donate any amount from £1 upwards, it will go towards purchasing items for our hamper appeal and bring some seasonal joy to even more households.

Thank you for your support and from the members and friends of the Rotary Club of Tain and Easter Ross, thank you and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and for us all, let's hope 2022 will be a more "straightforward" year.