Daily Echo and City Mission launch Christmas food bank campaign

A total of 16,280 people have already been fed by Southampton City Mission's network of food banks this year alone, significantly up on 2021's annual statistic of 15,575.

It desperately needs support over the festive period and into January as demand surges, particularly as the cost of living crisis continues to hit households. 

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Following a successful summer partnership, the Daily Echo has once again teamed up with the charity in the run-up to Christmas for Boost The Bank.

We are urging those of our readers who can to donate at any of the 14 drop-off points across the city. They include those at the city's five Sainsbury's stores, three Co-Ops, two Lidls, Asda and Little Waitrose. 

Southampton City Mission, which boasts eight staff and a network of 120 volunteers, has seen a huge increase in demand for its Basics Bank food banks at churches in the city centre, Sholing, Bitterne, Shirley and Lordshill.

When we visited, volunteers at Shirley Baptist Church were running out of a number of important items after seeing a rise in the number of clients visiting and queues snaking onto Church Street.

Basics Bank Manager Vicky McKillen said: "We've seen a huge increase in demand and it's really important that we can be there for people at Christmas and beyond.

"There's so much pressure at this time of year and we all overspend to some extent, the difference is our clients don't have the safety net of savings or a well-paid job.

"Don't put your own family under pressure, but if you want to do something, we are really grateful even for the smallest things."

The charity is particularly low on tinned cold and hot meats, treats, Christmas treats, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, spreads and jams, and tinned vegetables.

Ben Fishwick, Editor of the Southern Daily Echo, added: "We are asking for our readers' support in helping the most vulnerable.

"Giving anything to City Mission has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of people in Southampton, and I hope anyone who sees a donation point will stop and donate if they can."

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