GENEROUS shoppers have ensured that Worcester Foodbank's supermarket collection has got off to a fantastic start.

In the first day, people donated 120 crates worth of food which is being taken back to the food bank's new warehouse in Lowesmoor Wharf.

The collection will be running for three days until Saturday at both Tesco supermarkets in Warndon Villages and St Peter's and will help bolster the service through the food bank's "challenging" summer months.

Summer traditionally sees an increase in referrals during the school holidays when children no longer get their free school meals and parents are having to cover the extra costs.

Shoppers are given a shopping list, which includes tinned food, toiletries and cleaning products, and can donate goods to volunteers as they leave.

A spokesman for the food bank said: "What an amazing start to our Neighbourhood Food Collection with 120 crates (1600kg) of food donated by shoppers on day one.

"It's kept Nigel 'the van man' busy.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated so far and our amazing team of volunteers."

Jeremy Steele, new store manager at Tesco Warndon Villages, said: "We have a great relationship with the Worcester Foodbank and support them where we can.

"We have the added benefit of having a year round collection point instore."

The store held a trolley dash on Thursday and willing regular customer Jean found all the items on the Foodbank list within the time.

The store then donated the items to the Foodbank.

The store team would like to also mention there are some exciting community projects on the way and that if any community groups would like to use our community room to contact the store for more information.

The food bank announced this week that it had finally found a new home after a two-year search.

Rising demand for emergency food has forced the foodbank to swap its increasingly cramped premises on Carden Close for a much larger warehouse in Lowesmoor Wharf.

The move will also allow the charity to house a job club, debt counselling support and Baby Basics service, providing essentials like baby clothes to help struggling parents get back on their feet.

The formal date for the move has been set as Tuesday, July 5.

Grahame Lucas, Worcester Foodbank manager, said: "Emergency food is often just a sticking plaster and it doesn’t address the underlying causes of food poverty.”

"That’s why we are delighted our new premises will provide us with enough space to offer a wide range of services that address the root causes of hunger, so people no longer have to rely on emergency aid."

Volunteers have helped to provide more than 15,600 three day emergency food parcels – including about 5,000 for children – since food bank opened its doors on Carden Close in June 2012.

But with demand for emergency food expected to soar by as much as 25 per cent in 2016, the need to move had grown increasingly urgent.

Foodbank is now appealing for donations to help it raise enough funds to replace old shelving and crates and install a disabled toilet for clients.

Anyone who is interested in making a donation can email info@worcester.foodbank.org.uk.

Items needed:

Small bags of sugar/rice (½kg)

Biscuits, jam, tinned fruit, sponge puddings

Cup-a-soups

Tinned spaghetti, pasta meals (packet)

Small boxes of cereal/ variety packs

Mashed potatoes (Smash etc)

Washing powder/liquid

Powdered milk

Dried noodles

Gluten Free products

Cat food

Toilet cleaner / sponge scourers

Toilet rolls, hand washing liquid

Toothbrushes, deodorant

Shaving cream, shower gel

Rucksacks (to carry food)

Bags for Life