STAFF and volunteers have issued a heartfelt thank you after being 'inundated' with food bank donations in the run-up to Christmas.

Southampton City Mission's basics bank manager Vicky McKillen said the flurry of festive donations had shown 'the best of humanity' and had allowed the charity to feed everyone who came to them in need. 

The seasonal thank you comes after the Daily Echo teamed up with Southampton City Mission for our Boost the Bank campaign.

READ MORE: Daily Echo and City Mission launch Christmas food bank campaign

We wanted to shine a light on the incredible work undertaken at five weekly food banks around the city, at churches in the city centre, Sholing, Bitterne, Shirley and Lordshill.

Each venue has seen a spike in demand as people struggle with the cost of living. The Thursday food bank, in Church Street, Shirley, for example, saw people fed rise to a record number of 131 in December.

But residents and local businesses have stepped up and donated in their thousands in the run-up to Christmas.

Vicky told the Daily Echo: "We're busy, we're very busy, but we're managing. We know we're going to be busy between Christmas and New Year and into January but the lovely donations have been a real boost.

"People have really wanted to help and do something and it's meant we can be there if people need us.

"We've seen the best of humanity. We've been inundated with donations and we've loved it.

"I'd just like to thank the people of Southampton for how supportive they've been. It's making a massive difference to those who are struggling at the moment.

"We've been able to support everyone that's come through our door. We don't ever want to turn someone away and it's great that we've got enough to support everyone.

"We're really, really grateful, but we're very aware that this will only last us so long."

The most urgently needed items are tinned cold and hot meats, coffee, tinned fish, coffee, sugar, tinned carrots, tinned macaroni cheese, pet food for cats and dogs, treats, toiletries, nappies size 5 and above and vegetarian and vegan items.

There are drop-off points at 12 supermarkets and convenience stores around the city.

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