TESCO has urged its customers to donate items with long shelf lives to help those in Warrington facing hunger.

The supermarkets are participating in the 12th annual Tesco Winter Food Collection, with donations going directly to charities Trussell and FareShare.

The collection runs in Express stores from November 25 to 30 and in large stores from November 28 to 30.

This initiative comes as both charities predict a significant increase in demand for their services this winter.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: "Our partners tell us they've seen even more families needing their help and they expect demand to increase this winter, so we're encouraging Warrington customers to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection.

"With frontline charities and foodbanks facing exceptionally high demand this year, pre-packed donation bags make it easy to make a big difference to someone else’s Christmas.

"We've boosted our ongoing support to FareShare and Trussell with a donation of £500,000 each this year to help them meet additional demand through the summer and winter holiday periods when family finances are facing the most strain."

Research from Trussell shows that almost a quarter of children under four are now facing hunger and hardship, while a record 9.3 million people in the UK are in similar situations.

FareShare's annual impact report paints a comparable picture, with an 86 per cent increase in people accessing their services, and more than two-thirds of their partner charities seeing first-time users.

In response, Tesco is making its pre-packed customer donation bags available at even more stores in a bid to surpass the 2 million meals donated at last year's collection.

The bags, which typically cost between £2 and £3, are pre-filled with healthy long-life items and can be picked up by Warrington customers in-store and paid for at the checkout.

The donated food is passed to FareShare and Trussell, who will distribute it to charities and food banks to help families most in need.

According to FareShare and Trussell, the most-needed items are UHT and powdered milk, tinned meat and fish, and sponge/rice pudding.

Emma Revie, Trussell chief executive, said: "Food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship.

"They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard.

"But with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks are having to purchase record amounts of emergency food.

"I know times are tough for everyone at the moment but the Tesco Winter Collection is the perfect opportunity to donate.

"Options like the pre-packed donation bags and round-up-at-till make it easier than ever to support your local food bank today and help end hunger for good."

According to the supermarket, winter is typically the busiest time of year for their charity partners.

Between December 2023 and January 2024, Trussell’s food banks distributed more than 600,000 food parcels.

They're also expecting high-demand this year.

Kris Gibbon-Walsh, FareShare chief executive, said: "For more than 12 years, Tesco has been a brilliant partner, providing vital support to FareShare and communities across the UK, giving food and funding to ensure we can continue getting supplies to over 8,000 charities and community groups.

"The Tesco Winter Food Collection enables us to collect long-life, staple ingredients that complement the fresh surplus food we redistribute.

"If you’re able to donate just one item at your local store, you’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone in hardship this winter."