ALMOST 3,000 children received emergency food supplies from Bournemouth Foodbank in a year, it has been revealed.

The figures have been released as the charity launches its Combined Harvest appeal in a bid to boost its bank balance as well as food supplies.

A total of 6,593 three-day emergency food supplies were handed out in the year to the end of April, 2,974 of those to children.

Now the organisation, based in St Leonard’s Road, Charminster, hopes individuals and groups will give generously over the harvest period.

Manager Debbie Bramley said families can get into difficulty very quickly if they are suddenly affected by redundancy, illness or even an unexpected large bill.

She said: “During previous years we’ve been incredibly humbled by the level of support local people have given the foodbank at harvest time.

“We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated food, time or money - your compassion and support means that people in Bournemouth unable to afford food have had somewhere to turn.

“We rely on the support of the local community to make a lasting impact in Bournemouth, providing emergency food but also helping people to break out of crisis more long term.

“All of the food we provide is donated, so food donations are really important, but the foodbank also has lots of costs you might not immediately think of. We have to rent storage space for our food, cover transport costs and pay for utilities and insurance.”

Debbie said the foodbank is at its busiest in the winter so now is a good time to boost supplies.

“We would love for anyone considering helping the foodbank to combine their donation and give both money and food – it will make a real difference as we continue to provide much-needed help to people in our community.”

The foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network and distributes up to 250 parcels per week at its busiest times.

Demand has increased dramatically in the last two years as families struggle to put food on the table.

It has around 15-30 volunteers at any one time and demand is highest in Boscombe. Members of the public who are struggling to buy food can be referred by schools, doctors, dentists, social workers, health visitors or the Citizens Advice Bureau.