Hull Trains and The Trussell Trust are calling on the public to support a week-long appeal for donations of food to provide for those in most need. People may donate food at a collection point at Hull Paragon station from Tuesday 2 May to Friday 5 May.

The Trussell Trust has seen demand for its local food banks increase sharply over recent months and is handing out 47% more packages than it was at this time last year. The Trust supports over 1,200 food bank centres across the UK, providing emergency food and support to people in poverty. Food bank centres in the Trussell Trust network account for roughly two-thirds of emergency food bank provision in the UK.

The campaign has coincides with the Big Help Out, a scheme being run as part of the Coronation celebrations. The Big Help Out is encouraging everyone to volunteer or support their own community.

The donation point will be located on the concourse at Paragon Station, and the Trust will gratefully accept donations of non-perishable, in-date food. the Trust will then create food parcels for individuals and families across the Hull and Humber region.

Tinned vegetables, tinned rice pudding, tinned fruit and tinned meat are among the items that are much needed by food banks in the local area. The Trust will also be grateful for donations of strong carrier bags so that the food parcels can be distributed effectively.

To find out more about The Trussell Trust and its work in Hull, visit this web page.

Russ Barlow, Project Manager, at The Trussell Trust Hull branch, explained: “We are so grateful for the support of Hull Trains in these challenging times.  To see such a huge increase in people struggling to afford the essentials has been difficult and helping them would be impossible without the vital support of local people and organisations such as Hull Trains.

“We would like to see an end to people needing to use a foodbank, but whilst we work towards that challenging goal, we’d like to say a big thank you to Hull Trains and anyone that is able to donate to help ensure people do not go without in the coming months.”

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Hull Trains, said: “The Coronation and Big Help Out provides a unique opportunity for communities to come together and do something positive for those who need our support the most. Even by making a single donation, you will be making a huge difference.

“The work the Trussell Trust are doing to provide individuals and families across Hull with access to food and necessities is vital. Let’s please come together as a community to help them and we can all make a difference together.”