Readers respond in droves to Telegraph food box appeal

THE first of many boxes filled with food is making its way to those in need.

Already you have responded in your droves to our appeal to collect Ten Tonnes Of Tins to help feed deserving families across the borough.

In fact, thanks to the generosity of our readers and staff, the first of our boxes was filled less than 24 hours after the campaign launched.

The current economic downturn has led to a huge increase in the number of struggling individuals and families turning to the Daily Bread Food Larder at Christian Action Resource Enterprise (Care).

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Last year, the charity handed out 468 emergency food parcels to people in North East Lincolnshire from its headquarters in Hainton Avenue, Grimsby.

However, the charity has given away 129 food packages in January alone, and staff expect the situation to get even worse.

The idea is not to be able to feed someone for a sustained period of time, but to help them out of a crisis.

And that is where our campaign comes in.

As previously revealed, each filled blue box weighs roughly 20 kilograms, which means to meet our target we need to fill a total of 500 boxes.

Grimsby Telegraph receptionist Louise Cooper, 30, said: "Since the launch of the campaign we have had people dropping into the office.

"Four or five of those have been extremely generous and brought bags and boxes filled with tins and packets.

"The Telegraph staff have also risen to the challenge and donated what they can with the promise of more next week.

"We want to meet our target as soon as possible, so it can benefit those in poverty sooner rather than later."

Sarah Taylor, the general manager of Care, said: "I am delighted at the support shown already.

"February is already turning out to be a tough month.

"We have given out 50 food parcels in the first five days.

"That means we are helping 10 separate people or families every day.

"We are expecting it to get worse as time goes on, which is why all the donations are greatly needed.

"A typical food package will last a person or a family three days.

"Everyone at Care wants to thank those who have already donated and we hope that others come forward and show whatever support they can."

Get involved

If your business would like to receive a box to fill, call 01472 372236. You can also bring donations to the Grimsby Telegraph office, at 80 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, between 9am and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information about Care, call 01472 232310.

If you have experienced food poverty, share your views through the Grimsby Telegraph. Get in touch with reporter Dan Russell on 01472 372236 or e-mail dan.russell@gsmg.co.uk, or log onto www.thisis grimsby.co.uk and comment on this article.