A TRAFFORD foodbank, which has handed out nearly 12,000 meals this year, is desperate for donations.

Stretford Food Bank is appealing for donations to meet growing demand after a record 11,628 meals were handed to families in need this year.

The charity has launched a new collection point at Stretford Mall to meet soaring levels of demand.

Trafford Mayor Cllr Tom Ross joined volunteers from Stretford Foodbank to launch the new collection point and sent out a rallying call to shoppers to get behind the cause and help those in need.

The foodbank urgently needs donations of non-perishable items such as soup, meat, fish, tinned goods (except baked beans), rice pudding and toiletries. They also need more volunteers to help run the service.

The new collection point is next to Love Coffee and The Fragrance Story in Stretford Mall and will be staffed between 10am and 2pm every Saturday.

The number of people needing emergency food supplies in the borough is the highest in the foodbank’s five-year history and volunteers hope a regular presence at Stretford Mall will help boost stocks.

Since April, the organisation has fed 1,292 people compared to 906 during the same period last year

This equates to a total of 11,628 individual meals.

Of those needing help, 747 were adults and 545 were children – 169 of which were under the age of four.

Launching the new collection point, Cllr Ross said: “Stretford Foodbank needs your help more than ever to cope with the growing demand for its vital service.

“I’m delighted to see Stretford Mall partnering up with Stretford Foodbank. The people of Stretford are renowned for their generosity and this is a fantastic opportunity to support its work.”

If you would like to volunteer at the new collection point at Stretford Mall, please call 07564 387209 or email: volunteering@stretford.foodbank.org.uk.