Vauxhall Food Bank - spreading the festive cheer

At this time of year, it's so easy to get caught up in the fripperies and festivities surrounding Christmas. We're bombarded with marketing from companies offering a whole host of delicious treats and it doesn't take much to get caught up in the excesses.

It can be easy to forget about the hundreds of people in London (and across the UK) who are literally living hand to mouth. They are not homeless, but are living in a 'hidden poverty bracket' - with incomes so low that a family illness, drop in benefits or an unexpected bill could mean the difference between eating an evening meal and not. That's where food banks come in.

I've just returned from Vauxhall Food Bank - it's been running since June this year and they've recently partnered with Sainsbury's Nine Elms to encourage shoppers to buy an item or two off the food bank list when doing their weekly shop - you just drop the food off outside the store and they take it to those most in need, how easy is that?!

Vauxhall Food Bank gives three days of emergency food to individuals and families in crisis. So far, the customers of Sainsbury's Nine Elms have donated 4,012kg of food  - enough food for over 6,000 meals. That's pretty impressive.

There's food banks across the UK, so when you're next doing your weekly shop - or your big Christmas shop - pop an extra bag of pasta, jar of sauce or rich tea biscuits in your trolley and drop it off at your local food bank. For location information, visit The Trussell Trust.