Donations needed to help struggling families in the borough

Shoppers are being asked to help those in crisis by donating food to Brent foodbank at ASDA Wembley and Park Royal on August 3.

The scheme helps local families who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet and rely on generous donations.

More than 90 per cent of food given out is donated by members of the public and the organisation makes up boxes of tinned foods, UHT milk, biscuits, cereals and more to help those who need it most.

Brent foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust Foodbank network and provides three days of emergency food to those in desperate need but the charity urgently needs help from the public.

Michele Lawrence, Brent foodbank manager, said: “The current economic climate means more and more people are struggling to put food on the table and we really need local people to give what they can.

“Rising prices, static incomes and high unemployment are having a real impact on people on the breadline and we’re seeing more people turning to the foodbank for help. We want to make sure that no-one in Brent is forced to go hungry but to do this we’re urgently asking for help. ”

An Oxfam and Church Action Poverty report earlier this year showed that more than half a million people could be left relying on food banks this year after 2012 saw 350,000 people coming to them for help.

The Trussell Trust is currently launching three new foodbanks every week to meet demand and gave nearly 350,000 people help in 2012-13.

The collection opens at 10am at both stores.