Shoppers show support for Foodbank at town centre supermarket

Deacon Michelle Legumi (left) and Cross-Links youth worker Rebecca Meredith outside Morrisons store in Dover

Photo credit: Deacon Michelle Legumi

Members of a Dover church said they were overwhelmed by the response they received to a campaign outside a supermarket collecting items for the Foodbank and encouraging people to shop responsibly.

Deacon Michelle Legumi from the Beacon Church and Christian Centre in London Road and Rebecca Meredith, the Youth Worker at the ecumenical project Cross-Links on Buckland Estate, spent two hours outside Morrisons at Charlton Green on Saturday.

As well as asking for items for the Dover Foodbank, they urged shoppers to buy "only what you need - there is enough for everyone if we share."

Their actions came amidst reports of people panic-buying, stripping shelves of a wide range of items.

"I had a vision about one of the placards and the wording that should be on it," said Deacon Michelle. "The placards were made for us by Rebecca's mum, Glenys Jeff.

"We just wanted to say there is enough for everybody if people shop responsibly. The store manager agreed we could be there and the response we received was really positive. We collected two shopping trolleys full of goods for the Foodbank."

One young girl who donated an item said "Sharing is caring." Another couple with a young boy said: "Everyone needs to help, so we are just chipping in."

Jonathan Wheeler, of Dover Foodbank, said: "We were stunned by the amount of donations that Michelle and Rebecca received in just a couple of hours. We are very grateful."

The Foodbank is still operating as normal at the moment, but with extra restrictions in place to safeguard those using it.

Deacon Michelle said: "There is so much being done to help people who need our support, including the most vulnerable and needy in our community. Churches are just a small part of that.

"But if anyone needs support, they can call us on 01304 206613 - leaving a message if necessary - and if we can't help directly, we will signpost them to someone who can."