A SOUTHAMPTON foodbank is set to receive a money donation to help with purchasing supplies of much-needed Christmas provisions.

Utilita Energy Hub in Shirley will be providing a 'top-up' to the Southampton City Mission Basics Foodbank as part of a national initiative, whereby the company donates a penny every time one of its customers completes an online top-up.

From November 14 to December 15, a penny is added to a central fund, which will then be divided between each of the company’s nine Energy Hubs across the UK.

A spokesperson from the Southampton City Mission Basics Foodbank said: "With so many more people being plunged into poverty as a result of the ongoing Covid pandemic, and the devastating wake it has left in its path, we need all the help we can get to make an impact on the lives of those who need us.

"Every penny is gratefully received, so we thank Utilita for their ongoing support."

Katherine Allen, retail manager at the Utilita Energy Hub in Shirley said: "With all the setbacks caused by the pandemic, for many people every penny counts right now, so it’s great to know that our own customers’ actions are going to impact the lives of others."

In recent years, the energy company’s involvement and support with the foodbank has included collecting food donations from across Southampton, sorting items in the main warehouse, and checking expiration dates.