Hundreds of struggling families in the district will benefit from a bumper harvest collection for Bradford Foodbank, which has brought in a record 5.5 tonnes of food.

The charity’s operation has seen tins and packets brought from all corners of the district, from individuals, 14 churches, 20 schools and big-hearted local companies.

The donation constitutes 41 per cent of all the food given to the charity this financial year and will help residents who have fallen through the welfare system.

In September, the Telegraph & Argus reported how more than 37,000 youngsters in Bradford are now living below the breadline.

Gareth Jones from the Light Church, which runs the operation from its centre in Jermyn Street, said: “In just a year we’ve already doubled the number of people we’re helping month on month and support such as this will help us reach more people.

“I want to thank everybody for their support. In these hard times, I am just so grateful that people are making every effort to support those in need within their community. Their generosity is truly amazing.”

The Bradford Foodbank, one of two in the city, is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust, a Christian charity with more than 250 projects across the UK. A team of 15 regular volunteers help to man the centre, which offers a hot meal to those who are referred, a crisis food parcel and signposting to organisations which can offer long-term help.

It is open three days a week and in the last six months has helped 883 people, of which 285 were children.

Anyone who would like to donate to Bradford Foodbank can visit Sainsbury’s, in Harrogate Road, where packets and tins will be collected from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, November 17.

For more information, contact the foodbank on (01274) 776189 or e-mail info@bradford.foodbank.org.uk.