THE ORIGINAL Factory Shop in West Street has become the latest retailer in Haslemere to partner with the town’s food bank.

The Haslemere food bank was set up in 2013 to give those in need a helping hand with their weekly food shop.

Food bank volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure they can support families in need in the area.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for food support and the services the food bank offers.

Original Factory Shop manager Karen Coombes said: “The Haslemere food bank is about the community supporting its friends and neighbours during these unprecedented and difficult times – something the store is very proud to support.”

The Original Factory Shop now has a donation station in the store where customers can drop off any items they would like to donate.

The store has some £1 lines which have been highlighted with the food bank logo, which customers can buy and then place in the donation box.

The store is also collecting any unwanted bags for life for the food bank to reuse.

Karen said she has been delighted with the support the shop’s partnership has already received from customers.

She added: “The food bank need supporting more than ever so myself and the team at the store are happy to be partnering with them and do our bit. On our first day we filled the donation station through the generosity of our customers donating or buying something for the food bank.

“It is our belief our community is so much stronger when we all work together and this year it is our mission to become more involved with community projects in the area.

“Communities really are stronger together.”