Help us make our eighth annual You Can Help appeal to help homeless people and families in crisis has been launched.

Our campaign supports the Maidstone Day Centre, in Knightrider Street, giving daytime accommodation to those without a home and families struggling to buy essentials.

The centre also supports charities that help women fleeing from domestic violence, who have to leave everything behind.

Donating to the Kent Messenger’s appeal could not be easier. We are simply asking shoppers to add one or two extra items of non-perishable food such as tins or packet meals, biscuits, tea or coffee to their weekly shop.

The items can be deposited in special trolleys in supermarkets and at collecting points in shopping centres, and KM offices.

Donations of new, warm clothing or toiletries will also be welcomed.

Last year an incredible 10,000 food items fed homeless people and families into summer this year.

Day centre trustee and fund-raiser Angela Clay said: “We are seeing an increased number of people because they have suddenly lost what you would class as a good job and I think the situation is going to get worse.

“But every year we are incredibly grateful to all who support the Christmas campaign. It really is one of the main ways we keep the centre going during the year.”

Donations of non-perishable food and clothing can be made at:

• Fremlin Walk, Maidstone

• Asda, Alexander Grove, Kings Hill

• Morrisons, Sutton Road, Maidstone

• Sainsbury’s Romney Place, Maidstone

• Sainsbury’s Quarry Road Industrial Estate, Aylesford

• Somerfield, New Hythe Lane, Larkfield

• Somerfield, King Street, Maidstone

• Tesco, Lunsford Park, Larkfield

• Tesco, Farleigh Hill, Tovil

• Tesco, High Street, West Malling

• Kent Messenger office, 6-7 Middle Row, Maidstone.

Cans and tins can also be deposited at Maidstone Grammar School, Barton Road, Maidstone, by December 12.