More people than ever are relying on food banks, and this need continues to grow.

This is why kmfm has teamed up with businesses across Kent to collect as many tonnes of tins as possible over the next six weeks.

According to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics, the number of people in “food insecure” households rose to 7.2 million in 2022/23, an increase of 2.5 million since 2021/22.

This trend is evident in our local communities as well.

Last year kmfm made an incredible impact by donating 6.77 tonnes of food to food banks across the county.

This year it is asking for help again from listeners and readers at home and with one tonne equating to roughly 2,400 420g tins of beans or similar foods, the team will see how many tonnes it can collect and distribute by mid-August.

There are three ways to get involved in the Tonnes of Tins appeal.

You can buy and deliver your food donation to one of the 13 drop-off points around the county.

For a full list of drop off points, addresses and opening times, you can click here to visit the kmfm website.

Make sure to visit the drop-off point during the opening times to ensure a member of the team is able to accept the donation.

You can also buy tins of food via a supermarket or online store and arrange for them to be delivered to the kmfm studios at Medway House on the Medway City Estate.

The deliveries must be between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

All food at all the drop-off points will be kept in an air-conditioned room and will be distributed by kmfm with the help of their sponsors to food banks across Kent.

You can also donate via the JustGiving page here.

At the end of the six weeks, the funds will be used to purchase as many tins of food as possible before having them delivered.

Rob Wills, head of programming at kmfm and co-presenter of Getting You Home, said: “This year, we’ve made it even easier to get involved, and we hope to equal or beat our efforts from 2023.

“We understand that many may be unable to help us financially this year, but a share on social media or an email to colleagues and friends could make a huge difference and is free.”