Citizens can donate food to local food projects this Coronation bank holiday as part of King Charles III’s call for everyone to give something back.

On the Coronation Bank Holiday Monday, Salisbury City Council’s Communities Team staff and volunteers will be out in force on the Market Square, alongside community partners from the Salisbury Foodie Network, including Salisbury Food Bank and Bemerton Community Fridge, for the biggest food collection the city has ever seen.

Organisers are calling on individuals, organisations, friendship groups and families to collect tinned and packeted goods and bring them to the Market Square on the Big Help Out Day.

Salisbury Foodbank manager Maria Stevenson said: “No one should have to choose between heating or eating. Yet many people in our community still do. One thing you can do this year is to support our local food projects, raise awareness of their needs and spread the word of their existence so more people know where to go if they need help.  All the projects that are part of the Salisbury Foodie Forum reduce food waste and distribute vital supplies to those who are struggling and can often prevent people from reaching crisis point.”

The Salisbury Foodie Network said that the following items are especially needed:

•           Tinned fruit

•           Rice pudding/custard

•           Long-life fruit juice

•           Long-life milk

•           Tuna

•           Instant noodles

•           Tinned tomatoes

•           Tinned vegetables

•           Tinned meats/meat meals

To donate, simply bring the food to the Market Square between 12pm and 4pm on Monday, May 8. If you can walk your donation onto the square, please do, but for those who have collected as a group and have a large amount to donate you will be able to drive onto the Guildhall Square, with access from Blue Boar Row, directed by marshals on the day.

On the day, a range of local voluntary organisations will promote their work and the volunteering opportunities within their projects. Groups include Alzheimers Support, Read Easy, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Salisbury and Wessex Community Action.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help collect and sort food on the day has been asked to contact the Salisbury City Council Communities Team on 01722 417100 or email here [bhc@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk] with the subject line ‘Big Help Out’