ALTON food bank has reached a major milestone, having distributed 100 tonnes of food.

The food bank was launched in November 2011 by the Butts Church, and is now supported by all the churches in Alton, along with many businesses and residents.

In March 2021, the food bank passed the major milestone of having distributed more than 100 tonnes of food and household goods since its inception.

Food bank manager Ian Dane said: “The food bank is incredibly grateful to the people of Alton and the surrounding villages for supporting us during the past ten years.

“We continue to be amazed by the kindness and generosity of local people and local businesses.

“This past year has seen a massive surge in demand and the town has responded brilliantly to ensure the food bank could cope.

“This has made a real difference to people in need who are struggling to put food on the table.

“This milestone highlights the reality of food poverty in our area.

“Along with other Trussell Trust food banks we urge the government at both a local and a national level to tackle the underlying causes of why people come to the food bank.

“Nothing would give us greater satisfaction than to be able to close the food bank because it is no longer needed.

“Unfortunately, we are far from that point today.”

All the food has been donated and distributed to residents in need in Alton and the surrounding villages during the past ten years.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on food bank usage locally and in the past 12 months alone it has distributed more than 29 tonnes of food and household goods.

For more information, visit alton.foodbank.org.uk