SHOPPERS in Northwich donated 864kg of food to mid Cheshire residents facing food crisis.

Mid Cheshire Foodbank (MCFB) volunteers held a collection at Waitrose, in Northwich, on November 21 and 22.

Maureen Lewis, collection co-ordinator, said: “The Waitrose customers were very generous in their donations.

"A few customers enquired if there were any specific food items which the Foodbank particularly needed, which I felt was very thoughtful.

"Overall it was a wonderful response to our request for help.”

All the food given out by the Foodbank has been donated by the public.

MCFB operates six distribution centres in Northwich, Winsford and Barnton, which help men, women and children who otherwise would go hungry.

Anne Cunningham, one of MCFB's trustees, said: “The Foodbank wants to thank all those who gave food or their time.

"The generosity of the public was astonishing and humbling.

"Not only was a fantastic quantity of food donated but many people showed a real interest in, and support for, the work of the Foodbank.

" It is hard to describe the difference giving a food parcel will make to parents whose children would otherwise go to bed hungry, especially around Christmas.

"We would also like to thank Waitrose partners for inviting us to make this collection on the first anniversary of the store opening and being so welcoming and supportive.”