December’s list of most-needed items is a mix of staples and Christmas goodies, but it is headed again by long life whole milk.

During October we distributed close to 400 one-litre cartons of milk to clients with their food parcels, followed by a further 300-plus cartons in the first three weeks of November. As a result our stocks are now very low and we need an urgent top-up of milk supplies as we head towards Christmas.

Tinned chicken, ham and corned beef, together with tins of peas and carrots and tinned dessert fruit, and small bottles of squash (and washing up liquid) are the staple items we especially need at this time.

The Christmas goodies listed are biscuits and mince pies, and for children chocolate treats and desserts … as an alternative to Christmas pudding!

Click here to view this month’s full list.

We welcome donations on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings between 9.00am and 12.00midday at Purley United Reformed Church (next to Purley Hospital) in Purley town centre. Or else you can drop them off at any of our local in-store and roadside collection points listed here.

We are so very grateful for everyone’s continued generosity, especially at this time. Over the past nearly 10 years you have kindly helped us to provide more than 280,000 meals to hard-pressed clients and their families.