BIG-HEARTED members of staff have come forward with 90 kilos of essential donations for a foodbank, thanks to an appeal.

Food, household items and thermal clothing were all handed over to the Braintree Area Foodbank during its month-long winter bid for help.

The items - which altogether weigh around the same weight as 257 boxes of 24 Weetabix - were donated by staff and visitors at Greenfields and could provide about 80 meals for people in need.

It is the second time Greenfields’ base in Charter Way, Braintree, has been a donation point for the foodbank with a similar amount of goods being gathered last summer.

Greenfields’ Emma Faulkner said: “The foodbank is a lifeline, and the generous donations to our collection are much appreciated.

“We know that our residents with low incomes can have difficulties paying their bills and feeding their families.

“Myself and my team work with local partners to offer a range of support services, and make referrals to the foodbank, where needed.

“The foodbank volunteers do a fantastic job and we’re proud to support them.”

As well as asking for food, the winter appeal also requested thermal clothing and blankets to help residents struggling to keep warm due to struggles with heating bills or being without a home.

Other essential items, such as pet food and toiletries, were also received.

A foodbank spokesman said: “This donation will make a difference to many people in food crisis as they will receive items from this collection within their food parcels.

“From collecting food to volunteers at our supermarket collections, we are very grateful for the help and support that Greenfields provides.”

Last year a joint fund between Greenfields and Braintree Council was announced securing £30,000 over three years to help the foodbank continue its work across the district.

The foodbank is now asking for residents to donate ‘bags for life’.

The bags are used for food parcels so people using the foodbank can keep their dignity.