AN URGENT appeal for donations has been made by Kidderminster Foodbank as they bid to aid needy families.

Volunteers at the facility, which is based in Baxter Church Hall in The Bull Ring, revealed their shelves were empty and there was a “desperate shortage” of food.

The need to meet demand is getting so great that food bank co-ordinator Maureen Lewis has even put her hand in her own pocket to purchase essentials.

A drop in donations and an increase in the number of larger families using the food bank are among the reasons given for the issue arising.

They have now appealed for help from people in the district to come forward with donations and help them stock up to enable them to continue their work.

Co-ordinator Maureen Lewis said: “We are experiencing a desperate shortage of food at the foodbank at the moment, and would like to bring this fact to the people of Kidderminster and the Wyre forest.

“We have a number of empty shelves in the store room and the warehouse.

“The main reason is the great increase in larger families with five to nine children who are coming and this does make a big hole in our stores.

“There also been a slowdown in the donations we are receiving and I have had to buy in a lot of the essentials such as milk, cereals, tinned vegetables and meat, and even baked beans.”

Kidderminster Foodbank is open on Mondays and Wednesdays between 12.30pm and 3.30pm and on Fridays between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

People can take in donations of food to the facility in Baxter Church Hall. For more information, contact them on 01562 746600.