Dozens of bags and boxes stuffed full of items including chocolate biscuits, washing powder, nappies, bottles of squash and tins of soup were donated by council staff to the Wimbledon Foodbank this Christmas.

The food, drinks and other items collected from council staff at the Civic Centre will be added to other contributions from other Merton residents and distributed to those in need this Christmas.

Since it opened in October 2011, the foodbank in High Path has had 157 tonnes of items donated by generous residents, businesses and churches.

Over the Christmas period they help between 400 and 500 people, a marked increase on the 300 people usually on the books throughout the year.

The foodbank is supported by about 70 volunteers a week. Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “Christmas can be difficult for people in Merton and we hope the generosity of our members of staff will go some way towards making life a bit easier for them. We are proud to continue to support the Wimbledon Foodbank which does excellent work all year round.”

Corinne Marshall, foodbank co-ordinator, said: “It is amazing to get so many donations from people. It is definitely needed. What we do gets people through Christmas. We are providing people who may have absolutely nothing with the essentials and a few treats as well. Thank you to everyone who has donated, it means a lot to us.”

For more information about the service offered at Wimbledon Foodbank, please visit http://www.wimbledon.foodbank.org.uk

Based on information supplied by Merton Council.