Tesco shoppers have donated more than £1,500 to Colchester Foodbank.

The funds will be used to replenish the foodbank's emergency food parcels for individuals and families in crisis in the area.

Colchester Foodbank co-directors Nikki Ranson and Armin Lange said: "We are extremely grateful that both Tesco and Groundwork have given us this very generous donation and that the people of Colchester selected us to receive this funding.

"We provide short-term, three-day nutritionally balanced emergency food and toiletries to support people in crisis within Brightlingsea and the surrounding Colchester areas.

"In 2023, we provided meals for 24,514 people and, currently, we are the busiest food bank in the East of England."

The money was raised as part of Tesco's Stronger Starts campaign, which provides £8 million in annual funding to UK schools and community groups.

Jessica McCulloch, Tesco’s community engagement manager in Essex, said: "It’s brilliant to see Colchester Foodbank showing such commitment to supplying food parcels to people and families in need in Colchester.

"It’s organisations like this that explain why our Tesco Stronger Starts grant programme exists, as it shows first-hand how our donations can positively impact local communities."

Since 2016, Tesco has donated more than £100 million to more than 50,000 schools and community groups.