People have been asked to give in the true spirit of Christmas by helping make sure families do not go hungry.

Loughton Foodbank is appealing for volunteers to help at its annual Neighbourhood Food Collection, held between December 3 and 5.

The foodbank has also appealed for donations to the collection, which will be held at Tesco in Epping.

In particular, the foodbank is asking for male and female toiletries, boxes of chocolates, biscuits or crackers, tinned ham and Christmas or sponge puddings.

Emergency parcels containing three days’ worth of food will be given to vulnerable men, women and children in crisis who have been referred by a professional or an agency such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

A similar appeal in summer saw 2,575 meals donated by the people of Epping Forest.

Voluntary foodbank manager Heather Scholer said: “The Neighbourhood Food Collection will make a real difference to the lives of people in crisis during this festive period.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the work we do in helping to stop local people going hungry, and the more volunteers we have at the Neighbourhood Food Collection, the more food we can collect.

“We’d love it if you could show us your support this December.”

People interested in donating or volunteering should visit www.loughton.foodbank.org.uk or contact info@loughton.foodbank.org.uk.