STRATFORD residents are being urged to help those struggling during summer.
Tesco on Birmingham Road is hosting a food drive from Thursday (August 20) to Saturday (August 23) with all donated items going to emergency parcels for local people.
Tesco will top up the value of the food donated by the public by 20 per cent.
Due to coronavirus, volunteers will not be handing out shopping lists like other years, but signage will be hung throughout the store.
The shop will also provide ready-made bags of food containing items the foodbank is currently most in need of.
Foodbank manager Marion Homer said: “We are so grateful to Tesco for hosting a food drive for us during this challenging time as we are sadly we in need of the extra donations to support our work in the months ahead.
“During July the Foodbank provided a shocking 692 food parcels, almost treble the number we provided in July last year. During the summer we have been working closely with local churches, through the MakeLunch project, to deliver parcels to struggling families in Stratford and the surrounding villages.
“The full impact of the Covid 19 pandemic is still playing out, and by the government’s own analysis it will have a lasting impact on jobs, income levels, and health – and we are reluctantly preparing for a further increase in people facing financial difficulties. We are determined that the foodbank will remain ready to play its role, but equally determined to challenge our need to do this.
“No parent wants to depend on charity to feed their children but it’s clear our foodbank is becoming the only option for a growing number of struggling families.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/stratforduponavon-foodbank for more information.
