A NEW drive to tackle food poverty in our region begins today.

Yorkshire Harvest, run by local councils and media outlets including The Press, aims to help vital food-poverty projects across the region replenish their stocks.

Donations can be given throughout September and will be shared between local food banks and homelessness centres.

Donation points include York’s children’s centres at Carr Junior School in Ostman Road; Haxby Road Primary School; Knavesmire Primary School; Tang Hall Primary School; Westfields Primary School; Clifton Green Primary School; Hob Moor Community Primary School; St Lawrence’s Primary School; New Earswick Primary School (all 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays).

Items can also be donated at Energise in Cornlands Road, Yearsley Pool in Haley’s Terrace and Sainsbury’s at Monks Cross during opening hours, or during office hours at The Press in Walmgate, the council HQ in Station Rise, York Mix at 5-6 King’s Court; Minster FM in Chessingham Park, Dunnington; Radio York in Bootham Row; the Gazette and Herald in Yorkersgate in Malton; Stray FM in Hornbeam Park Avenue, Harrogate.

People are encouraged to consider buying and donating a few extra items when they do their shopping, but to give only non-perishable items such as tinned foods, sugar, long-life fruit juice, cereals, soup, pasta, rice, sauces in jars, or jam and marmalade.