THE Bishop of Southampton has spoken out in support of the Daily Echo's campaign to help food banks this summer.

The Right Reverend Debbie Sellin says she hopes the city will "help those who are less fortunate".

We at the Daily Echo are urging people who can to donate to Southampton City Mission, a charity that supports the most vulnerable.

This is part of our Boost the Bank campaign, sponsored by Company Shop.

The charity says demand has risen in recent months in the cost of living crisis, but donations have dropped.

Volunteers are in need of many different household staples to offer those who need it, and thousands of people rely on the charity's network of food banks.

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The Right Reverend Debbie Sellin became the first female bishop of Southampton in July 2019.

She said: “People across the community are experiencing difficult times, as many struggle to afford the increasing cost of food and other essentials.

"The work that the Southampton City Mission does is so important to the city, and I welcome the Echo’s campaign to raise awareness of it.

"It is in God’s spirit that we are called to help those who are less fortunate and I hope that people give what they can to such an important cause.”

Read more: First female Bishop of Southampton takes up role

Boost the Bank has already been backed by MPs and the city council.

Royston Smith, Southampton Itchen MP, said that people's generosity in helping those who are struggling has been "remarkable", and that he "fully supports" the volunteers.

Labour MP Alan Whitehead added his support, encouraging people "who feel able" to donate. But he also warned that we may see more demand as costs rise.

Satvir Kaur, leader of Southampton City Council, said we must "come together" to support the people that fall through the cracks.

"[There are] too many individuals and families within Southampton whose wages don't cover the basics like food, heat and rent," she said.

This comes with the news that inflation is expected to peak later this year and reach 13.3 per cent, which will push the UK into a recession, according to the Bank of England.

These are the out-of-stock items that are urgently needed:

  • Coffee (small jars)
  • Custard
  • Sugar (small bags)
  • Tinned mixed veg
  • Tinned sweetcorn
  • Tinned peas
  • Tinned tomatoes
  • Squash and drinks
  • Toilet roll
  • Shampoo
  • Soap and shower gel
  • Male and female deodorant

The 14 drop-off points:

  • Asda, The Marlands
  • Lidl, Nursling
  • Lidl, Shirley
  • Nisa Local, Maybush
  • Little Waitrose, John Lewis
  • Sainsbury's, Bitterne
  • Sainsbury's, Hedge End
  • Sainsbury's, Lordshill
  • Sainsbury's, Portswood
  • The Co-Op, Sholing
  • Sainsbury's, Shirley
  • Natwest, Bitterne
  • The Co-Op, Archers Road
  • The Co-Op, Mayflower Halls

For up-to-date information, visit: southamptoncitymission.co.uk/get-involved/how-to-donate and dailyecho.co.uk/boost-bank

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