A CHARITY that distributes food to impoverished families across the Stroud district is asking communities to stage parties this summer to raise awareness and funds for the cause.

Throughout July, friends, neighbours and families are being encouraged to get together for barbecues, dinner parties, coffee mornings and cakes as part of the Stroud District Foodbank charity’s 5K Feast project.

Launched in partnership with Stroud charity The Marah Trust, the idea behind the scheme is that participating groups will collect donations during events to be split between the two causes.

The Stroud District Foodbank is one of 100 projects set up to collect and donate essential groceries to some 13 million people living below the poverty line in the UK. For details of how to get involved, go to www.strouddistrict.foodbank.org.uk and click on the 5K Feast tab.