Plans for Hackney’s first foodbank which will provide emergency food parcels to families in crisis were announced this week.

Set up by The Shoreditch Group, a church network, it will be run by volunteers and reliant on donations of food from the community.

A tonne of food is needed before the foodbank can start helping those who are struggling to pay for food and fuel as their incomes are static, they are unemployed or facing benefit changes.

Recipients will get a three day emergency food parcel in exchange for a voucher, distributed by social service teams, GPs, religious leaders and welfare agencies.

Parcels contain three days’ worth of food including tinned fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, pasta, tea, UHT milk and long life juice.

Hackney Foodbank co-ordinator Helen Moules commented: “It is incredible but true that in 21st century Britain we have families who literally have nothing to eat.

“Hackney is one of the most deprived boroughs in the country. We know that there is a desperate need for this service and we believe the Hackney Foodbank will make a real difference to the lives of local people who are in crisis.”

Donations of non-perishable food can be made at the food collection point at Stoke Newington Safestore, 4 Somerfield Grove, N16.

The first supermarket collection, where shoppers are asked to buy an extra item to help people in crisis, will be held at Sainsbury’s in Dalston on Saturday May 26.

So far 30 volunteers have joined Hackney Foodbank but more, especaially those who can spare time during the day, are needed before the launch.

To find out more visit www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/ or call 020 7033 0244.