THE team at Chester and Ellesmere Port Foodbank is appealing for food donations as it continues to try to meet demand for helping families and individuals in the area.

With two local supermarket collection events planned in April, the foodbank team is raising awareness and encouraging donations from local people and the business community.

Diane Jenkins, member of the steering group for Chester and Ellesmere Port Foodbank, said: “Today in our local area people are going hungry.

“This could be for a number of reasons, which range from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income.

“As a Trussell Trust Foodbank we provide a minimum of three days emergency food for people in crisis.”

“Food is donated by the public and sorted by volunteers.

“Working in partnership with foodbanks, professional organisations such as children’s centres, The Salvation Army and Citizens Advice Bureau identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher.

“Clients exchange the voucher for three days nutritionally balanced non-perishable food in exchange for their food voucher so it’s vital that we keep the shelves in the warehouse stocked in order to meet demand.

“Clients are also offered the opportunity to talk to someone about their situation and to be signposted to further help.”

Last year the Trussell Trust Foodbank network across the UK fed more than 128,000 people – and numbers are set to rise.

Diane added: “Next month we’ll be at Morrisons store, Whitby Road in Ellesmere Port for a food collection event on April 13 and 14.

“A list of items we currently need can be found on our website www.chesterellesmereport.foodbank.org.uk but all non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated.”