HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to collect food and household items to distribute to less fortunate members of the community this Christmas.

Hambleton District Council wants residents to join forces with staff and councillors to help them gather provisions for the area’s Foodshare project in preparation for the festive season.

The project supplies parcels to people in temporary financial need and since the Northallerton based store opened up eight months ago it has given out 457 emergency parcels.

Collection boxes have now been placed at the Civic Centre in Northallerton which will take donations until December 11.

Organisers say basic provisions such as cereal, coffee, tea, jam, pasta sauce, instant and tinned meals and desserts, soup, rice, toilet rolls, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo are needed – as well as Christmas treats such as mince pies, chocolate and sweets.

Foodshare is open every Monday from 4pm to 7pm at the Zion URC Church in Northallerton – customers must present a voucher issued by an agency to claim the three day food parcel.

The agencies involved include Broadacres, the district council, CAB, North Yorkshire County Council, Probation Service, Age UK, Thirsk Clock and local churches and debt advice groups.

Council leader Mark Robson said: “All donations – no matter how small – are important to keep this service able to help people in financial need.

“If we all donate just one thing we can make a big difference to people’s lives.

“How many times do we go for the ‘buy one get one free’ option and not need one of them? Giving it to this food bank is the way to help.”