AN APPEAL for more supplies to be donated to Kidderminster Food Bank has been launched following soaring demand over the summer.

Stocks at the facility are at extremely low levels and has launched the ‘Fill the Food Bank’ campaign alongside Wyre Life – a website run by independent Kidderminster-based journalist Jane Haynes.

They hope to restock the food bank so families and individuals in need can get emergency support when required.

The campaign has also been backed by Wyre Forest Labour, who are urging members to support the appeal.

Items desperately needed are tinned and fresh vegetables and fruit, tinned fish and meats, squash and pop, biscuits and crisps.

The food bank also urgently requires cereals, soup, sugar, rice as well as food for special diets such as gluten free.

Donations of cat and dog food are also taken in as are toiletries including sanitary wear, toilet rolls, washing and cleaning products.

Charity trustee Denise Carson told Wyre Life that demand went up significantly following their concerted efforts to reach families whose children received free school meals.

She said: “Our stocks are really low right now for some products, so any help people can afford to give would be much appreciated.

“We want to ensure those in need have a good selection of appetising and nutritional foods to see them through periods of extreme hardship.

“There has been extra demand this summer. We were in contact with schools before the holidays, who identified families who they knew might struggle over the long break.”

She added around 25 families, many who’d never visited the food bank before, were able to take part in the project.

Anyone who can help can drop off donations at the food bank, based at the back of Baxter Church in Bullring, when it’s open Monday and Wednesday, 12.30-3.30pm, and Friday, 9.30-3.30pm.

Donation points have also been placed in supermarkets including Tesco in Kidderminster, Co-op in Stourport, and Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in Stourbridge.

Gil’s tearooms in Wolverley, next to the Queen’s Head, is also accepting donations throughout this week.