Simple way YOU can help Brits facing Christmas hunger as Sun launches winter food collection appeal TODAY

WITH plummeting temperatures and Christmas costs just around the corner, the festivities aren’t always a joyful time for everyone.

That’s why this year The Sun wants to give people ­struggling through the cold months a helping hand with our Christmas For All winter food collection appeal.

If you can afford it, we are asking readers to pick up an extra item at the supermarket and add it to their shop over the ­coming weeks.

Donations will then be passed to two leading charities which provide food to those facing hunger.

They are Trussell, which runs community foodbanks across the country, and FareShare, which takes still-good-to-eat food and distributes it to more than 8,000 good causes and volunteers, for use in community kitchens.

The number of people accessing help rockets during ­winter due to the pressure of higher bills and Christmas. FareShare alone expects to distribute the equivalent of more than 40million meals in the UK.

So we are asking you to donate food which will help keep community pantries and foodbanks stocked throughout winter. It couldn’t be easier to help.

We have ­partnered with supermarket Tesco so you can leave your food at donation points in stores up and down the country.

We have also listed a few extra-longlife seasonal treats to help brighten someone’s Christmas.

Previously, we have partnered with Tesco on our Footie For All campaigns to fund grants to grassroots kids’ sports clubs; Activity For All, supporting holiday clubs; and Cooking For All, to teach youngsters about nutritious food.

Now, we are asking for your help to assist those struggling with their food bills this winter.

Last year, through the Winter Food Collection, Tesco customers donated the ­equivalent of 1.9million meals to the charities — and this year we hope to smash that with your help.

Donations can be bought in store at any time, but don’t have to be purchased at Tesco to be dropped off there.

The chain also has pre-filled customer donation bags containing healthy and nutritious items.

These cost between £2 and £4 and can be picked up at the tills.

Next week, amid the festive build-up, there will be high-profile collections at store fronts — in Tesco Express outlets from ­Monday to November 29, and large stores from Thursday to Nov 29.

Alternatively, you can make a financial donation using the QR code below.

To mark the launch of The Sun’s Christmas appeal, we went behind the scenes at two projects to see Trussell and FareShare’s good work.

Spread a little festive cheer

VEGETABLES are piled high in crates and shouts of “carrots” and “swede” ring out across the car park.

But this is not a market. It’s a food larder run by leading ­charity FareShare, providing donated items to those in need.

Also on offer are tinned and frozen goods, as well as some cakes and sweet treats gifted to the charity by members of the public and local stores.

Bobby, 45, has handed over her “Every Little Helps” Tesco bag to receive food that will help with meals for her three children, including one with autism.

The nursery worker, whose husband is a tradesman, said: “It would be difficult to put food on the table for my family if I couldn’t come here to get the basics.

“Bills are expensive and this help ­provides a bit of relief.

“It’s such a welcoming space and the volunteers are lovely.

“Someone greeting you with a smile can make all the difference on those bad days.”

Users of the weekly larder at Testwood Baptist Church in Totton, Hampshire, pay a small fee — £2.50 for a single person, £3.50 for a couple and £5 for a family.

Meanwhile, inside the church, ­charity Youth And Families Matter provides a toy swap, access to debt advice services and sometimes police assistance for serious issues.

Scaffolder Andy, 42, makes use of the larder as he can no longer do his job due to severe arthritis in his shoulders.

He’s currently retraining for a career in cybersecurity, but the family are struggling for money in the meantime.

“I’ve been living on the bare bones while I try to get back on my feet,” the dad of three explained.

“I was waiting for NHS treatment and went from earning £700 a week as a scaffolder to statutory sick pay. It’s hard trying to provide for the kids while I’m out of work, but coming here helps reduce the burden.”

People really need that bit of extra support in the colder months and over Christmas. And we also get a lot of elderly people struggling with the extra cost of bills, especially since last year’s Winter Fuel Payment change.

Laura Holloway, project manager

Supplies come from FareShare’s warehouse a five-minute drive away.
The hub relies on volunteers and donations to ensure they can ­distribute food to charities.

Tony Taak, 41, helps out one day a week thanks to his firm Utilita’s company volunteering scheme.

He said: “I love trying to support people when they need an extra hand. Being at FareShare has opened my eyes to the need in the community.

“I love doing the larder as you get to know people and see them getting excited at the amount of food they can get for a small fee.

“It makes my day better to know I’ve been part of helping them.

“If Sun readers can support us by donating a few items, it will make the world a better place.”

Fellow volunteer Bob started helping at the charity after he retired.

“Helping people is so important,” he said. “From the larder, I’ve seen people come in with low self-esteem, but after a few visits they stop ­feeling embarrassed to need help.

‘Go home with a smile’

“It’s not something I want people to be embarrassed about — you can’t help it. I just like to make sure people go home with a smile. If you can afford to donate, please do.”

Also operating food banks near Southampton is Trussell, which will receive donations made in Tesco.

Waterside foodbank, like all ­Trussell centres, provides crisis ­support to people who are referred to them through the likes of social services or churches.

People are able to access the resources six times across six months, and get food that will last their household for three days. This can be extended at the centre’s discretion.

Throughout the year, the foodbank makes up around 40 food parcels a week for those in need. But last year, they did up to 260 in the three weeks ­leading up to Christmas.

Project Manager Laura Holloway said: “We know people we help are often choosing between eating and heating. In winter, the need for our help goes up as bills are more expensive. We help those in crisis.

“It can be for reasons from their car breaking down, an unexpected bill or they just can’t ­afford to restock their cupboards.

“People really need that bit of extra support in the colder months and over Christmas. And we also get a lot of elderly people struggling with the extra cost of bills, especially since last year’s Winter Fuel Payment change.”

The centre also hosts visitors from Citizens Advice to help users with issues including debt and managing their bills.

Volunteer Jo Trosh, 71, said: “People are often only one step away from needing a foodbank.

“So if you can pick up some extra food and donate it to help someone else, please do.”