Alexandra’s Salvation Army is providing about two food parcels every day of the year thanks to community donations and support from local orchards.

Combined churches foodbank coordinator Sandra Schouten said there was a very big need and unfortunately that demand was only going up.

“All the stuff we are getting in is still not enough. We are having to buy basics ourselves to keep the food parcels running."

She said donations had also come in from beekeepers who had a surplus of honey and orchardists who had a surplus of fruit.

However, people were not just offering food.

“Some volunteers will put up market stalls to sell surplus fruit and then the money from that is donated to the food bank.

“Also Four Square and New World give us their nearly out of date or damaged stock. Countdown has a very handy scheme where people can donate and then the food bank can go and get it straight away.“

The Salvation Army community garden, Eden Garden, at 105 Dunstan Road provides fresh vegetables for the food bank during the summer growing season.

Volunteers contribute more than 50 hours each week working on the garden and doing tasks such as chopping firewood. 

Salvation Army Captain Logan Bathurst said they have no external funders or grants for the foodbank.

“We’re so grateful to the community for their kindness and contributions. This year we had 140 Christmas hampers go out to those in need - a higher number than in previous years."

Alexandra's McIntosh Orchard has been supporting the foodbank since its inception.

Spokeswoman Karen Owen said they do it to help those that work for the broader community.

"For over 10 years we have been giving to the Salvation Army, to support those that support the community and knowing that people are getting fresh fruit."

Employees on McIntosh Orchard with their stonefruit, a stalwart of the food bank's summer parcels. PHOTO: Supplied 

Clyde Orchards also donates fruit to the combined churches market stall for Saturday morning markets. 

For the past two winters they have also gifted firewood to the Salvation Army which they can sell. 

If you would like to get involved and donate to support the food bank call The Salvation Army on (03) 448 9436.