A FOOD pantry is calling for donations after goods from supermarkets have dropped by 80 per cent.

Linda Hunter, manager of the Aspatria Dreamscheme, which runs the town's Rainbow Pantry, said stocks from the supermarkets have been falling steadily over recent weeks.

Food Pantries are part of the Fair Share scheme, where supermarkets supply leftover stock to these charitable organisations to allow people access to cheap food and other necessities. Generally, people make a donation for a bag of food.

Mrs Hunter said Aspatria has managed to keep going but there is a concern for the future.

"We are subsidising the supermarket share," she said. "We are lucky because we have people who use the food pantry just to support us and give generously."

She said the need for outlets like the food pantry will only increase in the immediate future.

"We are going to have to ask the community for donations to ensure we can keep going. "

The Dreamscheme pantry also works with the North Lakes Foodbank to provide food parcels to those who qualify.

North Lakes manager, Jo Sutcliffe, said there is 'no crisis' in the food banks in Cockermouth, Workington, Maryport, and the North Lakes.

"Usage has gone up a little and we are expecting more - you just have to read the headlines to know that.

"We have good communities around us and generous donations."

She said at the moment the schools have been involved in Harvest and there are many donations from that.

"We do a lot of promotions like that and it does help.

"Donations come in the form of money or goods and we do regular supermarket visits."

She said although the foodbanks are fine at the moment, her message would be: "Please continue giving."