Farnham Foodbank will hold a collection at Waitrose in Farnham this weekend to help meet the rising demand for food aid.

In recent years, faced with rising demand for emergency food from local families and individuals struggling to cope with increasing living costs, the Farnham Foodbank asked customers at Waitrose in Lion & Lamb Yard to help meet these growing needs with a special food collection.

"We have been overwhelmed with the generous response", said Foodbank project manager Harriet Lanyon.  

This year the Foodbank is facing the same challenge. Squeezed household incomes continue to make it ever harder for many people to afford even the essentials for daily life, so they are turning to the Foodbank for support.

"We want to make sure no one in Farnham is forced to go hungry", said Harriet. "So once again we are asking the local community for help".

On Saturday, between 10am and 2pm, customers at Waitrose will be encouraged by Foodbank volunteers to pick up an extra item or two as part of their shop and donate them at the food collection point at the end of the store.

The collection has been organised by Waitrose in partnership with Farnham Foodbank, and Waitrose will also make a financial donation based on the amount collected.

The Foodbank team is grateful for all donations, but volunteers will hand out 'shopping lists' of items which are particularly needed at this time. All the food donated will be used to support people who need it locally.