FOOD banks which were running low have been boosted by a campaign run by North-East social housing group Gentoo.

Hundreds of items of food, along with school uniforms, were donated by the company’s staff as part of its ‘Art of Giving’ campaign.

The campaign, which was run in partnership with Barclays, Berghaus and Northern Gas, encourages staff and partner volunteers to donate what they can to help deserving projects.

As a result more than 1,800 food items were donated to three food banks in Sunderland.

Unwanted school uniforms were also given to St Cuthbert’s Care, a mobile clothes distribution service which travels around the North-East.

Andrew Hoseason, of the Washington Community Food Project, said: “The food bank was running out of stock and was going to have to halve the content of the food parcels we give out.

“However thanks to Gentoo’s donations we have doubled our stock, meaning customers will now get a full food parcel.”

Amanda Ladner, of Gentoo, said: “Each and every item will make a big difference to families who need it most and we are very grateful for the generosity shown by Gentoo staff and those working for Barclays, Berghaus and Northern Gas Networks.”