STROUD District Foodbank provided sufficient food to feed 2,800 people across the district last year, thanks to food donations gathered through five Midcounties Co-operative Food stores.

Colleagues and shoppers donated nearly 2.2 tons of food and supplies in 2017, across stores in Wotton-under-edge, Cainscross, Nailsworth, Slad Road and Kings-Stanley.

Foodbanks are expecting their busiest year yet, so The Midcounties Co-operative has pushed to generate donations to help bridge the gap and cater for the demand.

The campaign forms part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s regional communities strategy, which sees members and colleagues come together to provide support for local community groups through volunteering and fundraising initiatives.

The Stroud District Foodbank, part of the Trussell Group network, provides three days’ worth of emergency food to local people in crisis.

It has five drop-in centres in Stroud, Stonehouse, Dursley and Wotton, and a delivery centre in Nailsworth.

Emergency bags are also collected and delivered by some agencies.

Phil Truman, Leadership Team Ambassador at The Midcounties Co-operative in Stroud, said: “An increasing number of people are turning to foodbanks in times of need, and it is more important than ever to donate food and other supplies to the community.

"It’s amazing to see that our year-long efforts have made such a difference," he concluded.

Nikki Clarke, Assistant Manager at Stroud District Foodbank, said: “The Midcounties Co-operative has provided tremendous support to us over the years, with a staggering amount of donations being made.

"They have made such a difference to the local community and will support people over the festive period and beyond," she explained.