WIDNES Foodbank is urging members of the community to prevent people going hungry by supporting the UK’s biggest food collection.

Tesco Extra on Lugsdale Road, Widnes, is teaming up with stores across the country to hold a neighbourhood food collection from Thursday, June 30 to Saturday, July 1.

Widnes Foodbank co-ordinator Clare Bedford said: “Anyone can find themselves in need of a foodbank.

“Every week we speak to people who never thought they’d face going hungry but something unexpected happened, an illness, redundancy or even the boiler breaking and they were thrown into a crisis.

“We’re glad to be here to help but our work can only continue because of the unfailing generosity of the community.

“We’re honestly overwhelmed by the food, money and time people give.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the work we do in helping stop local families going hungry.”

Widnes Foodbank was set up by 21 churches across Widnes and Cronton in 2012.

Last year, almost 2,000 three day emergency food supplies were provided for people in crisis.

The foodbank is currently appealing for donations of long life milk, fruit juice, squash, tinned and packet potatoes, packet instant pasta and noodles, readymade custard, sponge puddings and jam.

Anyone wishing to volunteer and help with the collection can call 0151 422 0031 or e-mail info@widnes.foodbank.org.uk.