BOSSES of food banks across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch are appealing for people’s continued support in the New Year.

It follows fears of a shortfall of staple items because of the huge rise in demand in the run up to Christmas.

Vicki Lent, trustee of the Bournemouth Food Bank where the number of people in need of emergency food parcels has reached 6,000 this year, said: “I can’t see that the situation is going to improve in the short term although I would love to be able to say otherwise.

“We are in need of staple items like tins of meat, fish and UHT milk.”

Mike Lacey, a volunteer for the Christchurch Food Bank agreed: “We have been extremely busy in the run up to Christmas and if it hadn’t been for the support of supermarkets like Waitrose we would have been struggling.

“The support we get from churches and supermarkets has meant that we have been able to give people Christmas hampers this year in addition to their three day food parcels.”

But he was also concerned about a potential shortage of essential items in the coming weeks: “I hope support for the food banks will continue in the New Year because people really are struggling at the moment.”

Food parcels are only distributed to people who have been referred by a professional such as a GP or social worker and are limited to three per household.

Vicki added: “If people would like to come down and see what we are doing when we are open they would be very welcome.”

She also thanked the Nationwide for helping to provide 142 Christmas hampers which will be distributed to families on Christmas Day by the Dorset Fire Service.

The Bournemouth Food Bank will be open most days from 10.30am to 1pm apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day although people are advised to call first on 01202 900979.