The Alkmaar food bank is asking residents to make extra donations next week to help it replenish its depleted stocks.

The food bank in Alkmaar, northwest of Amsterdam, says it is the country’s first food bank to launch such an appeal. It says its shortages are primarily the result of increased demand. In addition, food producers and supermarkets have begun adjusting their stocks more tightly to demand, which means they end up having less to give to charity.

In Alkmaar, the food bank notes, 300 families depend on food aid. Last year, just 200 families required food supplies. The food bank is to launch an appeal in tomorrow’s regional newspapers. The bank says it mostly needs non-perishables such as canned vegetables, canned fish, pasta, oil, coffee, tea and peanut butter. The food bank says it hopes food producers will also respond to the appeal by increasing their donations.

(cl)

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