ANDOVER Foodbank is asking individuals and places of work to donate their unwanted, unopened Christmas food and toiletries, in an area-wide Christmas Treats Amnesty for the charity.

Head of foodbank Chloe Roberts said: “Many of us receive pamper gifts that are not to our taste or find ourselves avoiding the leftover chocolate once New Year has passed.

“We are asking the people of Andover to clear out their cupboards and donate these items to the foodbank where we can put them to good use and distribute to families in need.”

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The charity is encouraging local organisations to set up an amnesty box in their workplace for employees to donate their unwanted items.

The foodbank hopes this will prevent food waste and provide an easy, fuss free option for everyone to declutter the items they no longer need.

Chloe continued: “January is a time where our donations are low, yet we are very busy assisting households who have been referred to us for emergency food.

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"We always ensure we have chocolate and biscuits in every box as something sweet with a hot drink can be such a comfort in hard times so donations of unwanted chocolate and snacks are a great way for us to keep us with demand.

"Additionally, throughout the year we make up pamper packs for our partner organisations to distribute and the smaller tubes of hand cream and shower gel you receive in festive gift boxes are the perfect size for us to include.”

All donated items donated must be in date, unopened and unused.

The foodbank is unable to accept items that need to be chilled or frozen.

Donations can also be made a several places around the town, to find out more go to the foodbank’s website: andover.foodbank.org.uk.