Staff at On Call Group have been busy raising funds and collecting donations for a local foodbank after hearing the staggering plight of up to 500 families a week during the pandemic.

The home security company based in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield sprang into action after director Rob Allsopp saw an appeal from the Erdington Food Bank on social media.

The food bank - which operates out of St George’s Church in Erdington - is currently facing an uphill battle to gather enough food donations such is the demand from the public during these unprecedented times.

Rob rallied his team at the Gate Lane firm and staff had soon raised more than £250 which was used to buy bags of groceries from pasta to tins of soup, biscuits, cereals and nappies which the food bank will now redistribute to those in need.

The office has also thrown upon its’ doors to the local community by providing a Covid-safe drop off centre for anyone wanting to make donations of food parcels.

Rob said: “As a company we try to do our bit for the local community and we already hold a fundraiser each year to help feed the homeless. This last year though we all realise the coronavirus outbreak has made times even tougher for many and so we have stepped up our efforts.

“We organised a poppy day appeal for veterans In November and an Alzheimer’s support day In December and now we are delighted to take on supporting the food bank in these difficult times.”

In all 50 bags of groceries and boxes of supplies were presented to Chris Allen from the food bank who admitted he was “blown away” with the generosity shown.

Chris said: “We are so grateful to companies like On Call for their donations. In one day we had 530 people queueing for food at our centre which is open twice a week.

“Not everyone who comes to us is a regular and not everyone is on benefits. We have people who, until this pandemic, had been working to support their families but had now been plunged into poverty due to redundancy. Some are very proud, and they come to us in tears because they’ve never had to ask for help before. We just want to be able to continue to help everyone who needs us.”

Anyone who wants to donate to the appeal or drop off groceries to On Call can contact the office on 0333 405 2333 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm

The foodbank desperately needs long life products such as pasta, cereals, tins of soup and beans, biscuits, nappies and toiletries.