ORGANISERS of the Swindon Food Bank have praised the public for their support over the weekend.

Half a tonne of food was donated to the cause at a collection centre on Saturday.

Project manager Richard Belsham thanked those who gave goods and the volunteers who helped out with the collection.

The Food Bank gives provisions to people at times of crisis and they are currently supporting 27 families in Swindon each week.

Mr Belsham said: "It went well. We had a really good response.

"We are feeding local people who have had a crisis.

"It doesn't necessarily go to homeless people. It is for anyone who is having a hard time.

"It could be someone who has been made redundant and is struggling to pay the mortgage.

"We can help with a bit of food to give them a break. There are a lot of people on benefits who can sometimes be waiting for their money and they need our help to tide them over."

Volunteers were collecting goods, such as tinned food, fruit and veg, at Morrisons in Haydon Wick.

Over Christmas the organisation provided 205 people with meals for three days.

The food collected on the weekend will be distributed from the St Aldhelms Centre, in Edgeware Road, in the coming weeks on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Parcels are made up with enough food to feed a family for three days.

Mr Belsham said: "We really appreciate the help of the people who gave us food and of course the people who volunteered to help collect it."

For more information on Swindon Food Bank log on to the website at www.swindonfoodbank.co.uk