Staff from a Basingstoke food bank put on a brave face when they received a generous pledge of support from a high street supermarket.
Tesco in Chineham Shopping Centre is launching a two-week campaign urging charitable shoppers to support the service.
The move comes days after the food bank was told it will be evicted from its base in the YMCA centre in Eastrop.
From March 28, Tesco in Chineham will put out a shopping trolley by the information desk for big-hearted shoppers to drop off items.
The team at the food bank are looking for all types of food to make up their care packages for needy residents.
Tracey Gauntlett, founder of the food bank, said: “It is another amazing opportunity for us because of the amount of people we are having to feed.
“We have had to cut down the days we are open, from five days to three, because we can’t afford run at the level we are.”
This week they took their first delivery from Sainsbury’s depot in Houndmills, who agreed to supply them with goods for the year.
Last year, the depot supported the Andover food bank, supplying 4.6 tonnes of food.
Tesco community champion, Julie Shepherd, who is spearheading the new drive, said she hopes shoppers will be able to dig deep.
She said: “I am amazed by these guys. If you take into account some of the areas in Basingstoke and the financial situation we are going through there is a real need out there. I hope that we can fill it up all day, every day for them. And if it works we will look into doing it again.”
But despite the good news, Tracey and Martin are still desperately searching for a new base.
With a budget of up to £80 per week, the pair are searching for a new outlet after being told last week they had to move out of Eastrop.
Following a service restructure by the YMCA, the food bank is being forced out to make way for more space.
The news left the pair devastated and they are urgently appealing for anyone able to help to come forward.
Since launching in September the food bank has worked with more than 30 partners who supply needy residents with food vouchers, letting them pick up the a weeks supply of food.
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