Middleton Foodbank is running out of food

These trays at Middleton Foodbank are normally full of food

Middleton Central Foodbank, which serves local people in crisis, is running out of food.

Carl Roach, foodbank manager, said: “Stocks are so low for some items that over the last two months we have had to spend over £800 buying in essential items week-by-week to put into our food parcels to ensure that people have the right selection of food.”

This is the first time that the foodbank has needed to buy in extra stock in the three years it has been running, historically food donations have always been greater than the amount given out but since the beginning of this year demand for support has outstripped donations.

To help the foodbank replenish its stocks, community collections are being held in the Tesco Extra store in the town centre on Thursday 29 June, Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July and volunteers will be on hand to hand out shopping lists and at the collection point behind the tills.

Mr Roach added: "If you are able to help by donating this will be appreciated and you will be helping us to support local people and families who are in need.

"Every donation makes a difference, and through our partnership with Tesco we will receive an extra 20% top-up on everything donated.

"You do not need to be a Tesco shopper to donate at the collection point.

"If you can help by volunteering some time at the collection point then please get in touch with Carl Roach via info@middletoncentral.foodbank.org.uk - there are several slots to fill each day between 9am – 5pm.

"Going forwards we are also encouraging people to consider becoming local ‘food raisers’ who organise food collections amongst friends, family or work colleagues; we can supply details of the types of food we put into our food parcels.

"Later in the year we are also planning to open a new type of community food pantry, which will be a membership project allowing people to access discounted food supplies to help them manage their finances better."

The Middleton Central Foodbank is open on a Monday and Thursday between 11am-1pm at the Lighthouse Project and can be accessed through local referral organisations who issue food vouchers after assessing circumstances and needs.

To maintain a nutritional balance for their non-perishable food boxes, the foodbank requests certain items in particular, for example UHT or powdered milk, along with tinned meat/fish, tinned vegetables and long-life fruit juice.

For those wishing to take their donations a step further, unusual donations such as treats like chocolate, and other essentials such as toiletries and feminine hygiene products are always in short supply and gratefully received.