A CAR dealership in Carlisle has announced a partnership with a food bank as demand for the service increases.

Lloyd BMW in Kingstown has pledged to donate £1 to Carlisle Foodbank for every customer survey that is completed.

It also contributed a selection of Easter eggs to be included in food parcels distributed during the upcoming seasonal period.

Established in 2012, Carlisle Foodbank operates as a community-run charity staffed entirely by volunteers providing for people during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and last year it distributed 11,000 food parcels.

Dealership management took part in a visit to the food bank led by Carlisle Foodbank manager Steph Humes, where the meticulous processes of receiving, preparing, packing, and delivering daily food parcels was observed.

These processes include care to cater towards diverse dietary needs, and accommodating gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan requirements.

Steph Humes said that while the food bank is not currently seeking more volunteers, there is additional strain on its services.

“We are so lucky that we have an absolutely amazing team, but we are very busy, we have a lot of new families, larger families with three, four, five, and more children, and we’re in contact with a lot of schools as well to help as many families as we can,” she said.

More donations are needed, Steph said, and the best way to find out what the bank needs specifically is via the Bank the Food app.

Currently, Carlisle Foodbank is looking for more donations of tinned vegetables and meat and pasta sauce.

On the partnership, she said: “I think it’s fantastic they’ve chosen to partner with us, it’s always great to get the backing of businesses, we’re so grateful.”

The dealership’s service manager Gareth Hollins said: “We are delighted to partner with Carlisle Foodbank, a crucial local charity.

“As a people-centric company, it is our responsibility to support those in our community facing hardships.

“We look forward to actively fundraising and supporting the food bank in various capacities.”

The food bank also regularly advertises upcoming fundraising events on its website, such as a sponsored walk around Ullswater on May 11, with staff from the dealership taking part.

For more information about the food bank, visit https://www.carlislefoodbank.org.uk/.