A HAMPSHIRE food bank is facing a crisis because of soaring demand for its help.

The Youth and Families Matter Food Bank has seen the number of people referred to it increase by a third over the last year, and is now desperately low on stocks, despite a slight improvement in donations from the public.

The charity, based at Testwood Baptist Church in Totton, is now appealing for people to help by giving gifts of food that can help those in need.

The volunteer team has come to the aid of more than 200 people this year, handing out more than |170 food parcels, each providing enough to last a family or individual for up to five days.

Project leader Kelly Price said: “We have a fantastic community in Totton who do give. What we really need is to look at creative ways in which this giving can be enhanced.

“Perhaps giving us your buy-one-get-one-free offers from the supermarkets is a start.

“We would also like to urge the local supermarkets to come and discuss with us ways in which they can play a greater part in their local community, to help feed those people who are in need.

“Totton does have a great community spirit and we want to move that to a new level.”

Donations can be made at the Salisbury Road church between 9am and 3pm every weekday.

Ring 023 8086 0320 for more information.