EASTER is a time to celebrate – but what if you couldn't afford to feed your family?

More and more people are using food banks due to rocketing rent prices, low pay and benefit cuts.

The Trussell Trust, which is the largest food bank network in the UK, handed out around 41,000 food packs in 2009/10 compared to 1.2 million in 2016/17.

A 2014 estimate suggested that the Trussell Trust’s food banks account for around half (420) of the food banks in the UK.

That suggests the actual number of food parcels handed out across the UK, and the number of users of food banks, will be higher.

So why not spread the love and generosity this spring by donating to one of the many food banks in Worcestershire.

Only a few extra items in your shopping trolley could make a big difference to a family.

Worcester News:

Here's a list of the top 10 types of items of items you can donate:

1. Easter eggs

2. Toiletries: deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes

3. Household items: laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid

4. Feminine products, including sanitary towels and tampons

5. Baby supplies: nappies, baby wipes and baby food

6. Soup

7. Cereals, pasta, rice, pasta sauce

8. Beans, tinned meat and tinned vegetables.

9. Tinned fruit

10. Biscuits

The food banks across Worcestershire:

Worcester

Worcester Food Bank: 7 Lowesmoor Wharf, Lowesmoor, WR1 2RS

Malvern

The Trussell Trust Food Bank: 4 Spring Court, Spring Lane, Malvern WR14 1AT

Ledbury

Ledbury Food Bank: St Katherine's Hall, High Street, Ledbury, HR8 1DZ

Pershore

Foodbank Centre: St Andrews, Church Walk, Pershore, WR10 1BH

Redditch

The Trussell Trust Food Bank: St Stephens Court, Church Green E, Redditch B97 4DY

Kidderminster

Kidderminster Food Bank: Bull Ring, Kidderminster DY10 2AA

Bromsgrove

Catshill and Marlbrook Foodbank: Milton Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 0NA