Burnley ministers call on shoppers who 'filled their trollies' in panic buying sessions as coronavirus hit to help vulnerable families left with nothing

Pastor Mick Fleming made the appeal on his social media page, Burnley Against Poverty, in a bid to rally volunteers to donate food to the many families who he said are struggling without basic supplies since many shoppers have stripped the town's stores bare in panic buying sessions.

He said: "This is a genuine appeal to the people of Burnley, churches and local businesses to see thier way to help many families who are desperately in need of food.

"I have received phone call after phone call from people asking for help and we are strugglng to meet the need so we have come up with the idea of a drop off point for people to leave food. "

Pastor Fleming, who, with his Church on the Street ministry plans to open a homeless shelter in Burnley, added that helping with food donations would be a way for people who could not attend services to do church in a 'practical 'way.

He added: "We are also helping the homeless too at this time and we have access to them so that it can be done safely.

"I am geuinely appealing to the love inside people to do what they can to help those who really need it at this time."

Pastor Fleming is a devoted campaigner to improve life for the homeless and vulnerable in Burnley, and, together with a band of volunteers, holds twice weekly sessions in the town centre offering food, hot drinks and support.

The drop off points will be at St Matthew's Church, Burnley this Saturday from 8am to 10am and from 9am to 11am on Sunday.

Fr Alex Frost supported Pastor Fleming's appeal by calling on the people had 'filled their trollies' at the supermarkets to think about those who had been left with nothing.

He said: "I know that your cupboards are full so please, don't be afraid or too proud to do something to help and get down here with a bag od potatoes or something else to donate.

"You will not only be serving God but your local community also and there is nothing better than that."

A poster will be placed on the vestry door in Harriet Street where food can be dropped off and Fr Alex said he would be in the church to collect it.

He added that the drop off point would run every weekend until stocks are full and while both himself and Pastor Fleming are well.