Medway Foodbank received almost four tonnes of food as a result of the Medway Messenger’s Christmas appeal.

Throughout December we encouraged our readers to donate to help people in need. Collections points were set up all over the Towns and the donations came flooding in.

The food continued to mount up after Christmas and now the charity’s volunteers have added up the amount of food given in to collection points over the festive and new year period as a result of our campaign – it was a whopping is 3.85 tonnes (3,847 kg).

Over a two month period, the Medway Messenger appeal accounted for 50% of all the food donations given to Medway Foodbank.

Kevin Jennings, who manages the charity’s warehouse in Strood, said: “Once again, our thanks go to the Messenger and its readers for supporting the work of Medway Foodbank so generously.

“This generosity has ensured that many people in the area had a happier Christmas than they would otherwise have had, and has provided them with some of the support and help they needed in their time of crisis.

“We also very much appreciate the ongoing support we receive throughout the year as we continue to work with others to help those in crisis in Medway.

“On behalf of Medway Foodbank and those who have been helped – thank-you.”

One of the biggest donations came from the Kent Muslim Welfare Association which held a collection at the Gillingham mosque in Canterbury Street.

Spokesman Anwar Khan said providing for those without food cut across religious barriers, adding: “It’s a simple act to help and people should not be going without food.”

People are referred to foodbanks when they hit times of crisis – it could be due to redundancy, illness, benefit delay, family breakdown or simply an unexpected bill.

The charity, which seven centres around the Towns, provides emergency food boxes to feed a family for three days. Since launching in December 2011, Medway Foodbank has fed more than 4,000 people.