Derbyshire food banks are crying out for donations as demand soars amid coronavirus pandemic

Kind-hearted communities have donated more than 30,000 items to an urgent food bank appeal in less than a fortnight to help those impacted by coronavirus in Derbyshire.
By Gay Bolton
Published 8th Apr 2020, 16:29 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2020, 16:31 BST
Customers can donate food at Co-op stores across the country.Customers can donate food at Co-op stores across the country.
Customers can donate food at Co-op stores across the country.

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

Despite the amazing response, food banks have pleaded with people to continue donating vital items as supplies are running low.

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

Food banks being supported by this appeal in Derbyshire include Hope for Belper, Long Eaton and Sawley Foodbank and South Derbyshire CVS.

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.”

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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 stores 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.

Jo Lambourne, from Hope for Belper, said: “We would like to thank everybody who has continued to donate to the food bank in this difficult time, we have been overwhelmed by your generosity and the sheer amount of donations coming in.

“However, sadly we are also seeing a significant increase in need and the number of referrals we are receiving each week is rising steadily so please continue to donate whenever you can so that we can continue to provide this essential service."

The items in need from Hope for Belper include UHT milk, tinned fruit/ veg, tinned curry/chilli, shampoo and toilet rolls.

For more information, visit www.centralengland.coop

Related topics:Belper