by Mary Graham

mgraham@thekmgroup.co.uk

You can help make things better for the homeless and those in crisis this Christmas - and all for the price of a tin of food.

The Kent Messenger's You Can Help appeal has returned to supermarkets and schools across the area.

It is the ninth year we have run the campaign in support of the Maidstone Day Centre, in Knightrider Street, which offers daytime accommodation and nutritious meals for homeless people.

But we need your help. All we ask is that when you do your supermarket shop that you buy an extra tin or packet of food, tea or coffee.

Then, as you leave the supermarket, you will find a special trolley where you can make your donations.

The trolleys will have the You Can Help poster attached to them, along with Christmas decorations.

So far, four supermarkets have signed up - Morrisons in Sutton Road, Maidstone, Asda in Alexander Grove, Kings Hill and the Tescos in Lunsford Park, Larkfield and High Street, West Malling. Donations can also be made near the information point at The Mall Chequers, Maidstone, and items can also be taken into the Kent Messenger office, 6-7 Middle Row, Maidstone.

As well as non-perishable food, donations of warm, clean clothing are also welcome.

Last year, thousands of items were collected, helping people well into 2009.

The food was distributed among homeless people and families who are living in their homes but need "crisis" food parcels to help them through winter.

Angela Clay, the day centre's trustee, said: "We are very grateful to the supermarkets, the Kent Messenger and everyone who supports the campaign.

"We absolutely rely on the food collected during the run-up to Christmas to provide nutritious meals for everyone we help.

"People also really think about the items they donate and gave things like tins of food with ring pulls, so people sleeping rough could open them.

"Despite the economic climate over the last two years, we have always been overwhelmed by the generosity of Maidstone people and we hope people can support us again."

If your community group, school or club want to get involved, please email mgraham@thekmgroup.co.uk or call Mary Graham on 01622 695666.