SHOPPERS have been giving generously to Worcester Foodbank as the Trussell Trust says county foodbanks are expecting to face their busiest ever Christmas.

The trust, that is the UK’s biggest food bank network, says figures suggest a record numbers of people in need will seek support this December, with Worcester Foodbank expecting to have to hand out more emergency parcels than last year.

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In the county in December 2018 food banks handed out 2,448 three day emergency food parcels equivalent to 553 every week. That included 1,055, 43 per cent, to children.

It meant the charity dished out 976 more parcels in the area than it did on average each month during 2018-19 – an increase of 66 per cent.

In anticipation of the busy Christmas period ahead, Worcester Foodbank has welcomed the generosity of city residents with their donations.

Almost five tonnes of supplies were donated during a recent three-day supermarket collection at the Tesco stores in Warndon and St Peter’s.

Volunteers were able to fill up 400 crates with urgently needed food, toiletries and festive treats, asked for by the charity’s festive shopping list.

Grahame Lucas, Worcester foodbank manager, highlighted the foodbank provided more than 3,500 three-day food parcels during the first six months of this year, up a quarter on the same period 12 months ago.

Mr Lucas said: “We’re always overwhelmed by the extraordinary generosity of local people – once again we had some shoppers filling up trolleys with donations for us.

“It gives us every chance of being able to ensure as few people as possible go hungry this Christmas, but we cannot afford to be complacent given the huge demands being placed on our supplies.”

There is still time to support the Lowesmoor food bank’s efforts by donating items from its festive shopping list.

And volunteers are also appealing for people to donate Christmas gifts for children and teenagers aged up to 18-years-old, to fill stockings and make sure that don't miss out.

For more on the foodbank and how to support them visit worcester.foodbank.org.uk.