DONATIONS from supermarket customers could save a foodbank threatened with closure over a £16,000 debt.

Waitrose has agreed for volunteers to collect food donated by customers at its Billericay store for Laindon foodbank Tins and Things.

The foodbank’s landlord has issued the not-for-profit organisation with a notice to quit over £10,000 of unpaid rent, but it hopes regular donations will help it pay the bills.

Managing director Susanna Caira-Neeson said: “It’s going to be a transformation for us.

To have access to fresh food without having to pay for it is going to be brilliant.

“Our landlord has served us a notice to quit, but we will now be able to say we will be able to pay the rent.

“It means we will be able to help clients.”

The foodbank, which also owes Basildon Council £6,000 in unpaid tax, persuaded bailiffs not to seize food parcels and cooking equipment when they called last month.

The council has offered to knock 40 per cent off the tax bill, but another £1,000 in rent is due on Christmas Day.

Many supermarkets work with national charities that operate foodbanks, such as the Trussell Trust, and Tins and Things has had to spend money on food rather than bills due to a lack of donations.

Mrs Caira-Neeson hopes the partnership with Waitrose, in which volunteers will also collect food for the Helping Hands foodbank in Lee Chapel North, will free up funds.

Volunteers collected donations at the supermarket, in High Street on Saturday, which is the busiest shopping day of the year.

Pitsea North West councillor Gavin Callaghan, who brokered the partnership, said: “Waitrose have been fantastic.

"The staff at the Billericay store have worked really hard to make this happen.”

Dave Gurney, section manager of operations at Waitrose Billericay, said: “Waitrose has a commitment to helping foodbanks.

“In the first instance we work with the Trussell Trust.

Where that national charity doesn’t operate, Waitrose encourages branches to form relationships with local foodbanks.”