Coalville Food Bank is among the Leicestershire charities to have benefitted from Central England Co-op customers donating enough food to deliver 30,000 meals to those impacted by Coronavirus.

Over 60,000 items have been left at special collection points in all of its stores as part of an urgent food bank appeal launched by the retailer.

These items have been collected by food partners in the area and turned into food packages and handed out to those most at need during this uncertain time.

However, food banks have also reiterated that it is vital people continue to donate items in the coming weeks and months to ensure everyone from families to schoolchildren do not go hungry.

And Coalville Food Bank has requested tinned potatoes, UHT milk, long life juice, washing powder, chocolate bars and instant mash.

Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said: "Even in times of uncertainty, our customers and members have shown once again their generosity by donating enough food to ensure that thousands of people can receive vital care packages and cook meals for them and their families.

"On behalf of our food bank partners, we want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported our food bank campaign but also to ask them to continue to dig deep and keep donating an item or two when they visit our stores.

"If we all continue to work together as a community during this uncertain time we will be able to make sure that nobody goes hungry and everyone gets the vital support they need.†

On average, food banks are seeing a 50 per cent fall in donations coupled with a 100 per cent rise in requests for food parcels - with new enquiries coming from people who are self-isolating, self-employed and families who have children that would normally be getting free school meals.

People can keep up to date with how Central England Co-op is responding to the Coronavirus by visiting Central England Co-op Updates