A CHESTER community group's campaign to donate as many items as possible for a local foodbank has been launched.

Last year, Chester Pride's foodbank campaign, in aid of the West Cheshire Foodbank, managed to collect over 2,000 items, a total that was generously doubled by partners Bank of America, taking the final number of items donated to well over 4,000.

This year they hope to collect even more items and smash last year’s record.

The campaign has a new approach for 2021. The Brown Bag appeal allows people who haven’t got the time to shop, or can’t easily drop items off, to donate money to ‘buy a bag’ that Chester Pride will then fill with supplies.

Just £5 will fill a standard sized brown shopping bag with enough items to support a person in need.

Of course, the public are still free to buy and donate items themselves, and they can drop them off at collection points throughout the city. Items should be non-perishable or long dated, like dried goods, tins, and UHT milk, alcohol free, and still in date.

The Campaign runs from until December 19, during which time items can be dropped off at a number of collection partners, such as The Liverpool Arms, The Old Queens Head, The Victoria, The Commercial Bar & Hotel, Oddfellows Arms (Frodsham Street), Chester Indoor Market, Just Cuts, The Red Lion (Northgate Street), Printworks Chester, Bed Student Rentals, Mecca Bingo and Lightfoot Lodge (Hoole).

Donations can also be made by calling ABC Taxis, 01244 43 43 43, who will collect any items from your doorstep, be it a residential or business address within a Chester postcode.

People can also visit www.chesterpride.co.uk and purchase a brown bag that costs £5, which Chester Pride will fill with items needed by the Foodbank after December 19th.

For the third year running, Chester Pride sponsor Bank of America is supporting the Foodbank appeal, and will double the amount of items donated.

Items required by the Foodbank are long life juices, tinned potatoes, instant mash, instant pasta – mug shots or instant noodles, sponge puddings, cooking sauces, tinned rice pudding, tinned veg, soups, porridge, UHT milk, cereal, biscuits, chocolate, and personal hygiene products, though people are welcome to donate anything that is long-lasting and alcohol free.

Chair of Chester Pride, Warren Lee Allmark, leads the charity’s efforts to support the West Cheshire Foodbank, as it is a cause close to his heart.

He said: “This campaign is so close to my heart, having found out a neighbour on my street had to use the foodbank service when they fell on hard times a few years back.

"It broke my heart to think of this, and other families, having to rely on this kind of service to be able to eat.

"This is especially true of LGBT+ people who are also more likely to need the services of a foodbank. No one should have to use a foodbank, but the sad reality is that they are now part of our society, so the least we can do is make sure they are fully stocked with nice in date foods to eat.

"I’ve been blown away that in less than three years we have managed to collect nearly 10,000 items, and this year I would love us to be able to report more record numbers which our partners, Bank of America will then double.

"I’d also reach out to local business to maybe ask their staff to get involved and bring in a tin or two to work.

"More information or collections can be arranged by emailing foodbank@chesterpride.co.uk .”