With need for food banks soaring as people struggle to cope with the rising cost of living, Salisbury Foodbank is urging shoppers to donate to this year’s Tesco Winter Food Collection.

From Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 3, customers at Tesco Extra Salisbury, Tesco Amesbury, Tesco Tidworth and Tesco Salisbury Castle Street will be encouraged to pick up an extra item or two as part of their weekly shop to drop in special donation trollies on the way out of store. 

The foodbank said that the need for donations is greater than ever with food banks in the Trussell Trust network preparing for the busiest winter yet as they expect to provide more than 700,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hardship between December and February.

In Salisbury itself, the food bank provided 3.5k emergency parcels between April and September this year - more than ever before. 

The collection in aid of Salisbury Foodbank is one of more than 800 Tesco Winter Collections taking place in stores nationwide as part of the supermarket chain’s ongoing support for the Trussell Trust.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Tesco’s partnership with the charity, which Salisbury Foodbank said has led to millions of donations, increased public awareness and stronger community relationships over the last decade.

As well as organising the events, Tesco will also make a financial donation of 20 per cent of the value of the items donated by the public.

These funds will allow Salisbury Foodbank to purchase additional stock and help with the provision of practical support for people accessing the food bank.

Volunteers will be in store during the collection and will help to direct customers towards essential items that Salisbury Foodbank need most, such as tinned ham, stuffing, packs of instant mash and long-life fruit juice.

Maria Stevenson, manager of Salisbury Foodbank, is urging people to think about the food bank while they do their shop and give what they can, as every donation makes a difference.

Maria said: “We know that the cost-of-living crisis has put increased pressure on people living in Salisbury and South Wiltshire and we’re seeing more people than ever before being forced to use our food bank.

"We always see a rise in need during the winter months and we expect that this year will be no different, therefore the donations we receive through the Tesco Collection will be critical in helping us continue to provide emergency food parcels to everyone who is facing hunger.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Tesco customers in south Wiltshire, especially at a time when everyone is feeling the squeeze. The donations you make will be vital in helping us support people in our local community this winter.”