Sainsbury's has announced that the Bude store has teamed up with the Bude Life Centre to donate food and everyday essentials on a regular basis. A recent collection at the store saw 338kg of much needed food for the Bude Food Bank, which is run by Bude Christian Fellowship. The food is used to help families and individuals in crisis need. A passer-by asked if the food was for 'down and outs,' but a Food Bank representative explained that the users of the service come from many different backgrounds. Some are homeless, many are unemployed, but the Food bank also helps those who are in employment but have reached a crisis in their family circumstances. A Food Bank spokesman said: "Sainsbury's is a new partner with the Food Bank in Bude and it proved to be a successful initial collection at the store. The manager and staff of the supermarket have promised ongoing help and a developing relationship between the store and this vital local community project." The Food Bank has supplied crisis food to over 300 individuals and families over the past three years. Pastor Roger Rowland expressed his gratitude to Sainsbury's for their enthusiastic co-operation in this collection and for the food that was donated directly from the store, as well as that donated by customers. A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "One of Sainsbury's values is to make a difference within the community and it certainly has since the store's opening at the end of June. The store has already helped a number of projects in the local community. The Bude Life Centre is yet another showing of the store's intent to become an integral part of the community." Any donations of suitable foods and finance can be made through the Food Bank at the Life Centre in Belle Vue Lane, Bude. If anyone needs the services of the Food Bank, please phone 01288 359714, call in at the centre or email [email protected]">[email protected].