Foodbank donation call to help struggling families

The council is calling for items with a long shelf life, as well as some toiletries, to be dontated

Donations of in-demand items are needed for a food bank in Nuneaton to support families facing hardship, a council says.

A list of urgently needed foodstuffs includes UHT milk, pasta sauce, tinned food, coffee and cereal, as well as items such as toilet roll, shampoo, washing-up liquid and nappies.

A dedicated donation point was being set up inside Nuneaton Town Hall for people to drop off items between 10:00 and 14:00 GMT, Monday to Friday, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said.

People were also being encouraged to consider donating books and gift items for children.

"Every year our community shows just how caring and generous it can be," said Chris Watkins, leader of the authority.

"The festive period is a time for giving, and even the smallest donation can make a real difference to those in need."

Richard Fleming, project and operations manager at Nuneaton Foodbank, said the charity operated five days a week, all year round, helping thousands of people.

"Although we get generous donations during such periods as harvest festival and Christmas, we also have to spend between £600 and £800 a week from our funds to top up public donations," he said.

"Sadly, this is what it takes to feed over 7,000 people a year, with almost half of those people being children."

Donations collected by the council will got to Nuneaton Foodbank, and people donating products are reminded to consider shelf lives to avoid items perishing before use.