Hinckley Rugby Club have this week announced a new partnership with the Hinckley Area Food Bank. The Club are installing a new collection point in the Clubhouse and it is hoped that it will prove a regular source of much needed donations for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank has recently seen a massive increase in the number of people needing help to feed themselves and their families. In the last year, demand has increased by 41% and, whereas donations have also increased significantly, they have failed to keep up with the demand.

The Hinckley Food Bank opened in 2012 and is a partnership of local churches in the Hinckley area. It was the first Trussell Trust network Food Bank in Leicestershire.

The Trust provides support to over 450 local Food Banks across the country. In the last financial year, Trussell Trust Food Banks handed out 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies to people in need.

Club Chairman John Tilley commented ‘The figures show that there is a growing need for the help that the Food Bank provides in the Hinckley area. Hinckley RFC prides itself on being a real community club and we are pleased to have the opportunity to help. The rugby community are a generous lot by nature and I know they will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.’

Colin Figures (chair of trustees for the Food Bank) added, “The partnership with the Rugby Club is great news for us. Nearly all of the food we are able to provide is donated by our supporters. A very high proportion of the donations we receive have historically come through the local Church community and we are anxious to widen our net a little.’

‘Our stocks of foods are continuing to go out to clients faster than we have been able to replenish them, and we’re now struggling with empty shelves. We do now have collection points in Asda, Morrisons and the Tesco supermarkets in Hinckley, plus the Co-op in Burbage and the Rugby Club will provide another welcome source of donations.’

‘In the run-up to Christmas, which is traditionally one of our busiest periods, this will be a major boost to our efforts to support vulnerable people in the area.

The Collection point will be located in the Clubhouse and members are invited to leave any items they would like to donate in the crate which will be emptied on a regular basis. All donations will be gratefully received but the following items are particularly welcome.

- Tinned Meat & Fish
- UHT Milk
- UHT Fruit juice
- Powdered Milk
- Tinned Rice Pudding
- Instant / tinned Custard
- Tinned Fruit
- Instant Drinking Chocolate
- Instant Coffee
- Bottled Squash (up to 1 Litre)
- Jam
- Cereals (13+ portions).

In addition, basic toiletries including Deodorants, Shower Gel, Shampoos and Toilet Rolls are also in short supply.

A collection tin will also be located on the bar for any spare change members would like to donate.

Contact Nick Robinson for further details.