The year 2019 was Dover Foodbank's busiest ever, say organisers.

It was called upon to provide the equivalent of three days worth of food and other essentials for almost 3,400 people.

Dover Foodbank, which started in October 2013, says that all those helped were referred to it by local trained professionals such as health visitors and social services

Project co-ordinator Jonathan Wheeler said; " We would not have been able to help so many people without the support of many others, thank you for helping us help those in need."

Deal Area Foodbank said 2019 was one if its busiest years but below its peak in 2018.

It issued 896 three-day food parcels supporting 2,641 people through its five centres in Deal, Sandwich and Aylesham.

Administrator James Archer said: "This is just below our peak year in 2018, when Universal Credit was rolled out locally to families, but well above the average of the last five years.

"We gave out 26.3 tonnes of food in 2019, which is our highest ever, thanks to the wonderful generosity of the people of the Deal area."

Food and supplies donations can be dropped off in Deal at Sainsbury's, Mill Hill Co-op, the Golf Road Centre, Trinity Church in West Street and the Community Church at Victoria Road.

The goods Deal Area Foodbank wants at present, as a priority, are tinned fruit and vegetables, instant mash, cup-a-soup, custards, instant desserts and rice pudding and shampoo.

Donations for Dover Foodbank can be left at collections boxes at various places .

These include Alkham Valley Garden Centre, the Help Our Town community shop in London Road, Dover, Stembrook Lane Shopping Arcade, Dover, and the Halifax bank in Biggin Street, Dover.

Its most wanted items this week are tinned tomatoes, dried milk, cereal, dried pasta and sauce meals, tinned meat, tinned potatoes, squash, deodorant, toothpaste and can openers.

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