Staff at food banks are bracing themselves for the busiest ever December – with 200,000 emergency grocery parcels to be handed out over the next few weeks. So if you want to maximize what Tesco gives, consider heavier items for donation such as bags of sugar and bulky tins rather than packets of crisps. Although Tesco has more than 3,500 stores nationwide only 450 have a permanent food collection point – though others may offer a temporary one over Christmas. The Trussell Trust is an umbrella charity under which about 1,200 food banks operate – many run by churches, The Salvation Army and small local groups. To find details of food banks in your area visit the Trussell Trust website and tap in your postcode. Dame Hilary Blume, founder of the Charities Advisory Trust that supports fundraising initiatives, says: 'You have to be careful when donating. A lot of supermarkets have collection point baskets where you are encouraged to drop off perhaps a tin of fruit or packet of pasta. Up to half seeking help are families struggling to make ends meet as a result of being in lowly paid employment. To receive help from a food bank you must be assessed by a local professional such as doctor, teacher or social worker. The Trussell Trust offers a 'find a food bank' search facility on its website with 1,200 centres where you can drop off essentials. The items food banks welcome include boxed cereals, soup, pasta, rice,sauces and lentils. She adds: 'Some have mental health problems while others are struggling as a result of a recent job loss or a difficult relationship breakdown.
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