The Trussell Trust is reminding people of the difference their kindness could make to struggling families this Christmas, as they brace for their busiest month of the year.
Operations manager in England, Anne Danks, told Premier: "Sometimes, when we have clients who come into the foodbank and they look inside their shopping bags that we provide and they see that we've provided them with a packet of biscuits or a box of chocolates, they are overwhelmed."
The Christian charity reported giving away 134,000 three-day emergency parcels last December, 45 per cent more than its monthly average.
Anne Danks explained: "People come under additional stress and strain because of the extra costs that are expected around that season, and the pressure to celebrate [and] the pressure buy gifts."
The Trussel Trust is running its ninth Neighbourhood Food Collection initiative until Saturday where donation boxes are being left at all Tesco stores.
Encouraging shoppers to get involved, Anne added: "Living on the breadline is very worrying for individuals and for families; never being able to afford treats.
"Many of the clients we see don't get to go on holiday, they don't have cars, they don't have smartphones, which, for many people, are considered necessities."
Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking to Anne Danks: