A COLLECTION for local foodbanks is being organised by the Swindon People’s Assembly.

Unused edible food can be dropped off at the Adver offices on Victoria Road, The Castle Inn pub on Prospect Place or Baristocrats on Commercial Road.

The main event will be held in Wharf Green on Tuesday next week November 21 from 3pm to 7pm.

The assembly is asking for generous donations of UHT milk, fruit juice and squash, tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned puddings, and meals like pies, hot dogs and stew.

Toiletries including deodorant and feminine hygiene products have also been requested.

The big winter foodbank collection has been organised to help Swindonians in need during the winter months, when the country is at its coldest and festive cheer is in short supply for the poor and disadvantaged in the town.

Ben Bell from the Swindon People’s Assembly said: “We wanted to do something positive and provide help to those in need.

“The local community is rallying behind us and we hope this makes a difference to people’s lives this Christmas.”

The Assembly argues that many families have been left to suffer with little to no income at Christmas as a result of issues with the Universal Credit system.

Ben said that some have even been made homeless because of these problems.

Ben added: “The main problems with Universal Credit are delays in payments, sanctions, rent arrears and identification problems.

“These problems mean that many people are experiencing extraordinary lengths of time with no income.

“This is causing many serious problems to our people and communities.

“More people have had to use foodbanks to get by – there are now seven foodbanks in Swindon and there were only two in 2010.

“Many people are caught in a catch-22 situation, having to pay rent arrears or waiting a long time for payments and they end up being made homeless.

“We have to look at the austerity politics that got us here – simplifying the benefits system is a good idea but the way it’s been implemented is too punitive.

“In Swindon, as other parts of the country, there are increasing numbers of homeless people, and drug dealing and drug uptake is on the rise.

“We urge that the problems of Universal Credit are fixed in areas, like Swindon, that have already implemented it.

“We also urge the Government to pause the nationwide implementation of Universal Credit.”

For more information, visit the Swindon People’s Assembly facebook page.