Generous shoppers have donated 15 trolleys packed with food for cash-strapped families in Kinson.

The appeal for the suburb’s foodbank, which was run by volunteers Summer Abrahams and Aylin Oktas Jones, collected 1.5 tonnes of non-perishable food at Castlepoint’s Sainsbury’s store last weekend.

Customers were invited to buy an extra item as they did their shopping to add to the foodbank’s trolleys, which were placed at the front of the store.

Ms Abrahams said demand for the handouts in the area is growing and expressed her thanks to all those who helped.

“The response was absolutely amazing – 15 full trolleys and 1.5 tonnes – we are so pleased,” she added.

“This food will go a long way and help a large number of people. There is a huge demand in Kinson and more and more families are relying on that help.

“Kinson really needed the stocks to be replenished after Christmas so this was very worthwhile.

“If we can just take one day a month to help people and donate then that makes a huge difference.

“It is a sad situation that so many families now find themselves needing foodbanks.”

The amount accumulated exceeded the eight trolleys collected at the store when a similar collection took place just before Christmas.

The growth in the number of foodbanks has been dramatic since 2010 after the issue of hunger was made more prominent by groups opposed to government austerity measures.

It is estimated there are now in excess of 1,000 foodbanks throughout the UK.

For more information about foodbanks in the area and how to donate, visit bournemouth.foodbank.org.uk.