Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, is supporting Wolverhampton City Council in an appeal to people to donate any spare food items to local food banks to help support families in need.

People are being encouraged to either drop off items at one of the designated collection points or get together with colleagues and organise ‘Bring a Tin to Work’ appeals.

The tins will be donated to The Well Wolverhampton Foodbank, the Good Shepherd Ministry and the City of Wolverhampton Council and go to local families or individuals who are struggling to make ends meet – and going hungry as a result.

The appeal has been launched by Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Ian Brookfield, who is supporting the city’s foodbanks during his year in office, and the council has teamed up with representatives from Royal Mail, Wolverhampton Homes, Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon to collect, distribute and volunteer to assist with the appeal.

Emma said “I want to pay tribute to the Well Wolverhampton Foodbank and the Good Shepherd Ministry who hand out hundreds of food parcels every week, supporting people across our city. The number of people turning to foodbanks has been steadily increasing. Unfortunately, this government is making the most vulnerable people in society worse off.

“I fully support Mayor Brookfield’s initiative to encourage donations to our city’s foodbanks and want to thank everyone in Wolverhampton who has donated so far. I am asking everyone, particularly anyone about to go on holiday, to please have a look in their cupboards and see if there are any tinned or dried foods, squashes or toiletries which they can spare for the appeal.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about the appeal, or who wishes to volunteer in some way, is asked to please contact Martha Cummings or Steve Poole at the City of Wolverhampton Council by calling 01902 555929.