ANDOVER Foodbank will be able to expand its services to people in need following a large donation from the residents of a local housing association.

The £1,500 donation from Sovereign Housing Association’s Hampshire regional panel, which is made up of local residents, will help the Andover Foodbank to fund the rental of a second warehouse.

The Foodbank provides food relief to families and individuals from Andover, Romsey, Stockbridge, Ludgershall and Whitchurch.

Trevor Sleath, Andover Foodbank project coordinator, said: “Last year we gave away almost 60 tons of food to more than 5,500 people and we’re expecting more than 6,500 to visit this year.

“We have around 70 volunteers who help keep our doors open and when we ask for help, it’s usually for food donations, not money. But now we’ve started to grow so quickly we need to start looking into new ways of fundraising.

“The panel’s donation will help us with the costs of opening up our new warehouse.

Having more storage space will help us keep our food levels high and make sure we always have stock to support anyone who needs our help.”

Melvyn Douglas, chairman of Sovereign’s Hampshire regional panel chairman, said: “The Andover Foodbank has had a huge impact on both our residents and the wider communities and it’s important that they have the resources to keep on helping people”.

This year, Sovereign’s regional panel for Hampshire has a budget of £44,000 to give to local charities and community groups that have a positive impact on the lives of residents.