Feed a Family This Christmas: Where, what and why to donate

• More: It's time to dig deep and help the needy

Below is a list of the items needed by foodbank groups across the region to help individuals and families desperately in need of food and other practical items over the winter months.

Christmas items

All of the items in this list need to have 'best before' dates that expire in January:

• Mince pie

• Christmas cake

• Christmas puddings

• Chocolates including selection boxes

Other food items

• Breakfast cereal (preferably non-sugared)

• Milk (UHT or powder, preferably semi-skimmed)

• Noodle pots

• Tin/carton/packet soup

• Fruit juice (carton long life)

• Fruit squash/cordial

• Pasta sauce/cooking sauces

• Tin/carton rice/sponge pudding

• Tin/carton tomatoes

• Pasta/rice/cous cous 500g/1kg)

• Tinned vegetables

• Spaghetti hoops

• Tea bags (40’s/80’s), coffee (small)

• Potato (instant mash or tinned)

• Tinned fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon and sardines)

• Tinned meat and meals such as stew, meatballs and chilli

• Tinned fruit (in juice preferably)

• Jam

• Sugar (500g/1kg)

• Biscuits, crackers, crispbreads

• Peanut butter

• Healthy snacks (raisins, apricots etc)

Non-food items

• Small gifts

• New socks

• Scarves/gloves/hats

• Shower gel

• Shampoo

• Deodorant

• Anti-bacterial hand gel

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/children’s toothbrush and toothaste/flannel/sponge

• Tissues (handy/handbag packs)/ toilet roll

• Nappies

• Baby wipes/baby lotion

• Sanitary towels

• Shaving gel/foam (not razors)

Urgently-needed items

• Long-life milk

• Fruit juice

• Sugar

• Rice

• Jam

• Tinned fruit

• Tinned vegetables

Over the past year we have been forced to report on such crushing blows to the local economy as the closure of Rugeley Power Station, the loss of BHS stores across the region, local councils shedding thousands of jobs and also some 554 staff axed at British Gas in Oldbury, writes Express & Star Deputy Editor Diane Davies.

The Express & Star is an integral part of the cities, towns and villages we cover and we know too well the financial difficulties encountered in these times of austerity – and the devastating effect job losses have on the communities.

We have highlighted in our news pages the ever-increasing number of emergency food packages being handed out by foodbanks and the strain being put on such good causes that rely so much on the generosity of local people.

The increasing problem of homelessness on our streets has been recorded in recent times by the Express & Star as well as the incredibly important role and good work of such projects as the Good Shepherd Ministry in Wolverhampton.

It's true that these issues in our society don't just crop up at Christmas and won't disappear once our appeal has ended.

The problem is much greater than that and our help will tackle the symptom, not the cause.

But Christmas is a time for giving, the season of goodwill, and our hearts must surely go out to the families who are choosing whether to 'heat or eat' this year, who can't afford even the smallest treat whether it be a Christmas pudding or a selection box for their children.

At this time of year, more than any other, I hope we can all find it within ourselves to help bring just a little light into the lives of those who are battling through some really dark times.

A gift of some of the basic essentials and foods will bring some welcome relief to those who don't have a bed to call their own.

It may be a sweet treat or some warm and nutritious food that might as well have been served up by Father Christmas himself for those without a roof over their heads.

And as we prepare to over-indulge in the annual chocolate mountain received every Christmas, can we not spare a selection box or chocolate treat for the children of the families who have sought refuge at The Haven?

It takes only a small gift to make such a very big difference to a local family this Christmas.

A couple of pounds on your shopping bill could remind a struggling parent or disenchanted child that there is a community out there that cares.

We applaud the work that the foodbanks, the charities working with the homeless and causes such as The Haven carry out 365 days of the year.

And we want to support them and offer a little support at this special time of year. But we need your help.

Can I please appeal to all readers to support this very worthy cause and help bring a little festive cheer into people's homes when they really need it.

There are a number of drop-off points for any food or supplies you can spare to help make sure we all have a happy Christmas this year.

You can bring your Feed A Family This Christmas donations to our Express & Star offices in Wolverhampton, Cannock and Stourbridge.

These are:

• Express & Star Wolverhampton head office: 51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1ES

• Express & Star Cannock/Walsall office: Queen Square, Cannock WS11 1EA

• Express & Star Stourbridge office: 3 Market Street, Stourbridge DY8 1AB

We also have drop-off boxes for your donations at:

• Waitrose Wolverhampton, Penn Road, Wolverhampton WV2 4NJ.

• The Midcounties Co-operative Food Store Codsall - 28-32 Wood Lane/Bakers Way, Codsall WV8 1DB. Donations dropped off at this shop will be given to The Well – The Home of Wolverhampton Food Bank.

If your business would like to host a donation box please contact Heather Large on 01902 319501 or email heather.large@expressandstar.co.uk