A SIKH chaplain has launched an appeal to encourage more people to help a foodbank.

Malkiat Singh is calling for residents to donate to the Harwich and District Foodbank after being surprised at the need in the area.

The 72-year-old said he knows what it's like to live on the bread-line after arriving in the UK in 1970 with just 20p in his pocket.

"I lived in Glasgow and survived on stale food.

"I used to be on the street selling things and working in a restaurant.

"I've seen poverty first hand."

Mr Singh, the Sikh Chaplain for Colchester and district, which includes Harwich, said his religion teaches helping the poor.

"Part of the Sikh religion says to help the needy, the poor and to share your food," he added.

"That's why I wanted to get involved.

"It was only recently I got involved, about four or five months ago and I was surprised how many people need to use it.

"The community is very good at helping everybody and the foodbank.

"But if everybody gave items costing about £2 that would keep the foodbank going.

"It would be the case of just skipping one pint of beer or one cup of coffee."

The Harwich Foodbank, based at the demountable building in Morrisons car park in Iconsfield Park, Dovercourt, is open on Tuesdays and Fridays.

It takes all donations including toiletries and nappies, tins, packaged food, frozen goods and fresh food - but no alcohol.

Mr Singh said: "I do want to thank Morrisons for donating goods such as vegetables and bread, and for having a Foodbank box, which we get a reasonable amount from.

"Also a thank you to Asda and the Co-op for having the boxes and thank you to Surya Foods for its donations."

Mr Singh is also hoping to hold a charity event to support the foodbank this year.

But he said his appeal also hopes to battle against negative attitudes to foodbanks.

"The opinion varies.

"some people say these people are short of money because they spend their money on the wrong things.

"But there are genuine people needing help.

"People, especially this month, have money on credit cards after Christmas and people are made redundant."

Donations can be dropped at the foodbank on Tuesdays and Fridays.