A HOUSING association has donated stacks of tins, jars and toiletries to be handed out by food banks in the area.

Staff from Karbon Homes donated around 1,500 items to County Durham Food Bank

Volunteers from across the housing association’s offices managed the donations, which included tinned foods, pasta, rice, jars, cereal, toiletries, nappies and cash.

A team of drivers delivered the donations to two food banks in Chester-le-Street and Stanley, as well as Newcastle West End, Newcastle East, Morpeth and Hexham.

Stuart Hudson, distribution centre manager for County Durham Food Bank, said: “County Durham Food Bank welcomes the positive approach from Karbon Homes to work together helping people in crisis across County Durham including Karbon Homes’ residents.

“We are dependant from kind donations of food from the public so more than welcome this offer of support.

“ We have seen an increase in food bank usage and forecast a rise of approximately ten per cent by the end of 2017.”