The Portsmouth Foodbank is asking residents in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for donations of long-life items — including UHT milk, fruit juice and tinned fruit — to help local families through a difficult winter. The charity, which is part of the Trussell Trust network, says it needs these specific items to replenish stock after a busy Christmas period.
Stocks of UHT milk, fruit juice and tinned fruit have run low as the typical surge of December donations eases in February while many households still face high heating bills. These long-life items are essential for the three-day emergency food parcels given to people in financial crisis, providing vitamins and calcium when fresh goods are not available.
While some parts of the city have seen new investment, other neighbourhoods still face high levels of poverty and food insecurity. Local agencies — including Portsmouth City Council services and Citizens Advice Portsmouth — work with the food bank and refer residents who need emergency food, often in circumstances where households face difficult choices between heating and buying groceries.
Residents can drop off donations at the food bank’s main hub at Hope Church & Centre, Somers Road, Southsea (PO5 4QA). The food bank also uses supermarket collection points around the city (for example, Tesco Extra Fratton and Waitrose Southsea); for a full, up-to-date list of donation locations and opening times, please see Portsmouth Foodbank’s website or the HIVE Portsmouth directory.
More information on how to get help or give donations is available from Portsmouth Foodbank’s official site and the HIVE Portsmouth directory.
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