CALLINGTON Foodbank last week unveiled a new permanent collection point at the town's Tesco supermarket.

Callington Foodbank project manager Mark Haydon said: 'What is so great about this partnership between Tesco and the foodbank is that it helps local people help locals by bringing in a "I want to make a difference to my neighbour" sense of community.'

The town's foodbank began giving out emergency food boxes to local individuals and families in crisis in 2011. Since the foodbank opened, the demand has grown year on year and it is expected to provide emergency food for more than 80 local people in 2015.

The Tesco store has hosted twice-yearly collections for the foodbank since 2011. A record-breaking 2.2-tonnes of food was collected at the supermarket's most recent collection in November, equivalent to £3,696 worth, with the supermarket boosting it by 30% to make a grand total of £4,804.

Store manager Martin Hawkins said: 'We are very glad to now have a permanent collection point for Callington Foodbank.

'Tesco Callington has supported the foodbank ever since it opened with the twice-yearly collections but our generous customers have been on at us to provide some place where they can leave their donations at any time and we are delighted to be able to oblige.'

The foodbank relies on donations of non-perishable items, including tea, coffee, cereal, long life milk and tinned goods. The Tesco collection point is emptied once a week and the items sorted into boxes by volunteers at the warehouse.

More than 20 volunteers help out at the foodbank, which is based behind the Mustard Seed Evangelical Church in Launceston Road.

More information about Callington Foodbank can be found by emailing callingtonfoodbank@ gmail.com or calling 07931 011459.