Co-Op food bank appeal brings in 30,000 donations in less than two weeks for Northamptonshire's needy

Massive response to stores' plea as demand for help doubles during coronavirus crisis
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Caring communities have donated over 30,000 items to an urgent food bank appeal in less than two weeks to help those impacted by coronavirus in Northamptonshire.

Central England Co-op launched the campaign after its food bank partners revealed they had seen donations drop and demand rise.

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However, despite the amazing response, food banks are pleading with people to continue to donate vital items as supplies continue to remain low and demand continues to rise by the day.

Co-Op customers in Northamptonshire have answered the stores' foodbank appealCo-Op customers in Northamptonshire have answered the stores' foodbank appeal
Co-Op customers in Northamptonshire have answered the stores' foodbank appeal

On average, food banks are seeing a 50 per cent fall in donations coupled with a 100 per cent rise in requests for food parcels with new enquiries coming from people who are self-isolating, self-employed and families who have children that would normally be getting free school meals.

Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op chief executive, said: “Our communities continue to do us proud and support this vital food bank appeal.

“Our food bank partners are working around the clock to react to a rise in demand and we can all support in our own little way by donating an item or two so they can carry on their great work during these uncertain times.”

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Items needed for the food bank appeal include cereal, tinned food and fruit, tea bags, dried pasta, rice, long life milk, sugar, biscuits, fruit juice and squash, pasta sauce and instant coffee.

Donations will be collected from Central England Co-op's 200 foodstores across the Midlands and East Anglia and used to create food parcels, which contain around 11 items and will provide at least three days’ worth of meals for those in need.

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