Deal Area Emergency Foodbank has launched an appeal to find a van for deliveries and donation collections, at a time when more people are asking for help from the group.

After its launch early in December, the DAEF is even busier and is now reaching people in villages and rural areas.

Chairman Alan Thompson said: “We do need help with transport, only for three days a week. So maybe someone can come forward and sponsor a van? If not, we will have to wait and try to raise funds ourselves to buy a vehicle and run it too.

“This is at a time when the trend is seeing increasing numbers at the foodbank and increases are expected again post April, especially with council tax benefits changing.”

Since the DAEF launch on December 3, through to February 28, the total numbers of people on redeemed vouchers has reached 164 and food distributed to voucher holders has tipped the scales at 2.1 tonnes. A total of 174 people have been fed.

* For full update about the Deal Area Emergency Foodbank, how to donate food and apply for vouchers for help, see the East Kent Mercury, March 14.