Councillors in one of Sheffield’s most deprived communities today ‘sounded the alarm’ calling for donations to support an inundated foodbank, as demand for support rises ‘exponentially’ ahead of Christmas, due to recent covid-19 restrictions.

The Spires Foodbank located on East Bank Road in Arbourthorne provides a lifeline for over 90 families each week and has seen demand soar as Christmas Day fast approaches.  Since the pandemic started the Spires has supplied over 1 ton of food per week.

In a bid to bring some festive cheer to some of the most vulnerable families in Sheffield, volunteers at the foodbank will be packing bags containing all the ingredients for a Christmas Day lunch, so that residents don’t miss out.

Councillor delivered their own donations of food to the foodbank and are encouraging others to do the same, with members of the public being asked to donate food or cash to the foodbank.

Councillor Ben Miskell said: “It’s going to be a bleak Christmas for too many families in Arbourthorne. Food poverty is really biting and foodbanks like the Spires are providing an invaluable service to some of the most vulnerable in our city. That’s why we are sounding the alarm and asking for more support urgently from the public”.

Donations can be received by the Spires Foodbank at its East Bank Road base between 9am – 1pm on Tuesday 22^nd and between 9am and 2pm on Wednesday 23rd December.

Andrew Keel Foodbank Co-ordinator for the Spires said: “We’ve seen demand for support from families rise exponentially throughout the pandemic and many residents in Arbourthorne are really struggling this Christmas. We would be so grateful for any donations ahead of Christmas Day and into the New Year”.

Councillor Sophie Wilson said: “It’s heart breaking to see people waiting in line to receive their food parcels from the Spires. This level of poverty is Dickensian and should be consigned to the history books, but whilst it exists in our city we need people to support food banks like the Spires this Christmas”.

Councillor Jack Scott went on to say: “Many residents in Arbourthorne are really struggling. Some people have said that Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate, but we know that’s untrue as the poorest and most vulnerable members in my ward have been hit the hardest and continue to take a hit in the run up to Christmas”.