A food bank has launched an appeal for cash donations after being faced with extra demand amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Canterbury Food Bank says that stockpiling and panic buying has meant that supermarkets have had to start rationing, leading to more people turning to the bank for food and household essentials.

This means that the charity is experiencing a rise in demand as the crisis continues and needs to replenish stocks on a regular basis.

The bank's chair Martin Ward asked people to donate cash directly, and to continue donating food at supermarkets when they can.

He hopes that the appeal will provide more food for the charity after they were forced to pay more to cover extra staffing due to the increased demand.

He said:“The country is experiencing an unprecedented crisis and this appeal will help us weather the difficult weeks and months ahead.

“We need to pull together and we ask people to remember those who can not afford to eat.

"This appeal will help us weather the difficult weeks and months ahead"

“The supermarket restrictions have been brought about by stockpiling, but there is a real concern that limiting purchases may inadvertently cause food banks harm.

“We appeal to people to keep donating. If they feel the shopping limits mean they can’t buy food for the charity we would ask them to consider a cash donation instead.”

Mr Ward also urged supermarkets to consider implementing a system where shoppers could buy an additional item at the tills, which would then go to the food bank.

To donate to the appeal visit: gf.me/u/xrwsrm

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