A food bank to collect provisions for the needy will take place over the weekend
Shoppers in Douglas will be invited to donate food in the Neighbourhood Food Collection between Friday, November 29 and Sunday, December 1.
Tesco’s Douglas store in Lake Road will be handing out a specially selected shopping list to people when they enter the store. They will be asked to pick up an item of food, such as long-life milk, cereal, tinned foods and tea and coffee, before donating it at the end of their visit.
The collection is for the Isle of Man Food Bank which launched this week.
The organisation’s chairman, David Gawne, said: ‘We have four strategic partners providing the services: Housing Matters, the Salvation Army, the Office of Fair Trading Counselling Service and the Department of Social Care.
‘The number of people needing food doubled between 2011 to 2012 and we expect it to happen again this year.
‘Our partners will be providing many services to help people, not just food.
‘Anything raised will be used in the island.’
The Salvation Army’s captain, Simon Clampton, described the level of poverty in the island as ‘shocking’ recently.
Mr Clampton said: ‘This year so far we have helped 444 people, from January to October. Last Christmas we helped 1,397 people with food.
‘I don’t think there is a simple answer as to why people seek help. We certainly treat people on a case-by-case basis.
‘We also offer help with fuel payments, furniture and clothes too.’
Joanna Chapman, of Housing Matters, said: ‘We act as a referral agent for the Isle of Man Food Bank.
‘Our referrals have increased by 20 per cent.
‘It’s not just about giving people food though, it’s also offering them help with things like debt management and budgeting.
‘Or we can help by giving them a referral to careers if they are struggling to find work.
‘Our main aim is to help people out and reach out to those who are in need.’
Tesco is joined by food banks charity the Trussell Trust and food redistribution charity FareShare for the collection to the Isle of Man Food Bank.
Douglas store manager Steve Forbes said: ‘Our customers were incredibly generous when we held our last food collection in the summer, so we’re hoping to collect an even bigger total this time around.
‘In the run up to Christmas we want to do our bit to feed those in need.’