Tamworth's Hygiene Bank has issued an urgent appeal for donations of toiletries after a spike in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Although lockdown is now being eased, local co-ordinator Marie Ballard says that the charity is expecting demand to continue rising over the next few months as more people find themselves out of work.
In May, the town’s Hygiene Bank distributed a mammoth 687 kilos of toiletries to those in need.
It supplies five local schools as well as working alongside Tamworth’s Self Isolation Support Group and Tamworth Borough Council, making up parcels for people who are in need and those who are isolating.
The Hygiene Bank has recently been asked for 100 parcels of toiletries for families in need, most of whom have been referred by schools.
Marie said: “We have seen a steady increase in demand and we are expecting it to increase still further. We are expecting more job losses in the area and a lot of people are being referred for help, we need these donations more than ever.
“We really need the basics – body lotions and creams are very welcome, but what we desperately need is shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, razors and shaving foam – the absolute essentials.
“It doesn’t need to be expensive – supermarket basic ranges would be fine.”
Drop-off points for the toiletries include the Spar shop at Glascote Heath, the Spar shop in Masefield Drive, Leyfields, the Sacred Heart in Glascote Heath, Peel Medical Practice in Aldergate, Next Place property in Glascote and Clifford’s Café in Polesworth.
There are also drop- off points in Coton Green, Amington and Fazeley.
But what the Hygiene Bank desperately needs is one of the local supermarkets to step in and agree to be a drop-off point.
Marie said: “We are currently asking all the local supermarkets if they would be prepared to be a drop-off point – that would mean that people could just pick up a couple of extra items with their shopping and drop them off in the store.
“It would be convenient for customers and it would make such a big difference to us.”
Anyone who needs more information can contact Tamworth Hygiene Bank via its Facebook page.
