Some foodbanks across the country have reported shortages following people stockpiling in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

In Sutton the picture is not so bleak says Mark Tomlinson, director at Sutton Community Works, which runs the local foodbanks.

But he is monitoring the situation as it develops and says it may affect volunteers at the foodbank which has four locations across the borough and works using a voucher referral system.

Mark said: “We are getting donations- the public have been pretty generous so far which is positive.

“The other issue is volunteers. We have a good set, but if things change and people get sick it could change.

“What we would have to look at is how to structure it. We are running from four centres at the moment, it might be that we need to take sessions from four locations to one.”

The Sutton Foodbank helps about 60 people a week and Mark thinks this number could increase if people are forced to take time off work and not given sick pay.

Items the foodbank needs at the moment are:

  • Sanitary products
  • Deodorant
  • Long life orange juice
  • Toilet Roll
  • Dried milk
  • Tinned custard
  • Sponge puddings
  • Long life milk